The Bugle 19 December 2015
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
Private abattoir proposal seeks adjudication Gerhard Baden’s dream of having the whole processing of his wagyu beef meat done on his Rose Valley farm has moved forward, with Council agreeing to send his planning proposal for a boutique abattoir to the Department of Planning for a Gateway determination. If approved, the Gateway process could allow the abattoir as an additional permitted use, as such an activity is not normally allowed by the Kiama LEP. Gerhard is keen to have his animals killed on site rather than subject them to the stress of having to transport them much further afield and has worked with Council for the two years since his initial DA was rejected
put them under un-needed stress by having to put them on a truck for the first time in their lives and take them to a foreign environment. We want to be able to walk them from the paddock to the knocking box to keep their anxiety and blood pressure down.” In response to neighbours’ Gerhard Baden’s is also proposing a restaurant for his property, concerns about the smell and although he says that would be some time away the potential for the operato get to this point. He also believes that tion to get bigger, Gerhard “Our animals are three processing them on site is says the plant is being built years old when they are a much more humane solu- to accommodate a maximum processed, making them tion, and one used by other of 120 animals a year but much heavier and longer Australian wagyu producers. they won’t reach even that than the normal beast that “We pamper our animals to throughput for another four goes to the commercial abat- give them a stress-free pas- to five years. At the moment toirs,” he says. “The three ture-fed life,” he says, point- Schottlanders Wagyu are closest to us don’t want to ing out the electric brushing processing 38 beasts a year, take wagyu anymore as their poles and the music played which they sell to local resproduction lines can’t cope.” in the fields. “But then we taurants and at the Kiama
Farmers’ Market. “We have a premium product, and have purposely designed the system for our needs alone,” he says. “There will be none of the smells that people associate with old abattoirs as all of the processes will happen in an enclosed space. There will be no waste and no noise.” Councillor Mark Honey supported the proposal going to Gateway as he feels initiatives like these need to be supported if the area is going to retain its farming land. Councillor Andrew Sloan voiced particular concerns about the management of the resulting effluent, given the potential for runoff to Werri Lagoon.
Inside this issue Kiama event in Mardi Gras program p 3
Duck Derby on its way p4
Nobles to go back to drawing board p 5
Class of 2015 has reason to smile Principal John Salmon is very pleased with Kiama High’s 2015 HSC results. “We had 13 per cent of our 161 students obtain one or more Band 6 results, and 53 per cent obtain results of Band 5 or above,” he said. The year has been a consistently good performer, helped in part by some special intervention in their early years to help their learning focus. Five of the students who were very happy with their results are shown with their Year Adviser Peter Quine and the Principal. From the left, Lloyd Ryder achieved two Band 6 results, and hopes to study science and agriculture at the University of Sydney; Matthew Price has four Band 5s and will be studying engineering and science at Wollongong; Eluned Price scored three Band 6 and will be studying health and medical science at Wollongong; Kelsey Wishart, with five Band 5s, wants to study primary teaching; and Audrey Pring with a Band 6 and five Band 5s is set to study law and international relations at Wollongong.
From the Editor Well that is another year done and dusted. A lot has happened; most of it positive, some of it sad and some just a portent of things to come. It has shown us our community does need a truly local paper. Thanks for all your support and encouragement, and see you again in midJanuary. Stay safe and be nice to each other. Best wishes from The Bugle