The Bugle 16 January 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
Community says NO to forced merger
Inside this issue Focus on the merger debate p 6 & 7
ALEX ARNOLD
More than 1000 Kiama residents declared their strong opposition to the NSW Government’s proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils at a public meeting. It was a meeting which had just about everything, including a declaration of a political uprising, passionate speeches, a few heated exchanges and even an old fashioned protest song. The huge crowd overflowed out of the Kiama Pavilion and onto the grass of the Kiama Showground to hear proceedings. On the night, a lot of the frustration was directed towards Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who was publicly warned by many - including councillors he had endorsed
- that his job as the local member was on the line should the merger proceed. The evening commenced with an extraordinary meeting of Kiama Council. Councillors formally resolved to oppose the proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven Councils “based on the lack of community interest between the two areas, the loss of democracy which would result, the strong community opposition to such proposal and the strong financial position of the Kiama Municipal Council”. The Council also supported a mayoral minute from Brian Petschler which declared “a serious lack of confidence” in the NSW
Duck Derby makes a splash p4
Kiama’s biggest public meeting ever voted to oppose the merger proposal
Government’s decision. Cr Petschler said the proposal from the Premier Mike Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole
had been met with “shock and dismay”. The Premier announced plans to merge the two councils prior to Christmas with a supporting document justifying the proposal published in early January. The Government claims the merger has the potential to generate a net saving to the two council areas of $38 million over the next 20 years, with a newly merged council to be given an assistance funding package of $15 million. The proposal states a merged council would result in improved strategic planning and economic development “to better respond to the changing needs of the Gareth Ward takes picture of the protesters to send to Premier Mike Baird community” and that a com-
Ward promises to fight the merger Kiama MP Gareth Ward said the message that the Kiama community was opposed to amalgamation was received loud and clear at Tuesday night’s meeting. He said he understood the community's disappointment and that he himself had been shocked by the proposal handed down by his own government before Christmas. “I have always said that Kiama Council can stand alone,” Mr Ward said. “That was the position of the Samson review and the IPART review, neither of which recommended Kiama merge with Shoalhaven City Council. “This had never been mooted prior to cabinet presenting this recommendation. “Kiama and the Shoalhaven are beautiful, but Continued page 7
Photos: David Finlay
bined council would provide a “more effective voice for the area's interests”. However the document was slammed for its lack of substance, contradictions and mistakes. Wearing a placard declaring Kiama had been ‘stabbed in the back’ by the NSW Government, Cr Dennis Seage declared that the Baird Liberal Government was “the enemy at the gate”. He warned his friend Mr Ward that “Jesus might forgive, but voters won't forget”. Kiama Greens councillor Andrew Sloan said council amalgamations in other states had shown mergers did not save money as they
2016 Kiama Show p 8
Australia Day Awards and celebration guide p3
continued on page 6
ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST
•
AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS
SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS
Phone: 42322757
•
Fax: 4232 2676
21B Barney Street, KIAMA ksmr@bigpond.com After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
TOWING
TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION
•
FULL RANGE AVAILABLE
REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS