The Bugle 10 October 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
Addisons sold: End of an era As the news spreads around town that the Addison family has sold their garage, the reaction from many is disbelief. While details are still sketchy, The Bugle can confirm the property has been sold to a family from the Wingecarribee, and the petrol/ newsagent/retail business on-leased to another party trading as Kiama Fuels. The Addisons are in the process of clearing out their effects, but are not running the business any more. Fred Addison built his service station on Manning St (then the Princes Highway) back in 1952, with the help of his father and mother’s uncle who were both master builders. For many years, it was the only petrol station in town, surviving the pressures that saw the other ten operating in Kiama’s heyday close. During its prime, Fred operated a car dealership (notably selling Austins and Leylands), amongst other things. Its proximity to Kiama High meant that he also sold an extraordinary amount of lollies to generations of locals. A few years ago, Addisons bought Cohen’s
Neighbourhood Watch needs you p 3
Guided walks around Gerringong Cemetery p3 Newsagency business, which it relocated to the service station. Last year, Fred hung up his famous green overalls for the last time and moved to live at a retirement home in Queenbeyan near his daughter Lisa. He will turn 87 in December. “People say to me that it’s strange not having him here, but no one feels that more than us,”
says daughter Wyn Addison. “Our main reason for selling is simply that it is not the same without Dad here. “The petrol industry is so different now, it has been a big ask to keep it going without him.” Rumours that Harts Garage in Gibbs St has also been sold are without foundation.
Fight over development of leased public land in Gerringong continues
Opponents of the Noble Brothers’ plans to incorporate leased public land into the development of their property in Gerringong CBD have collected 1200 signatures on a petition against the move. As reported in The Bugle’s last
Inside this issue
edition, the Nobles have a 98 year lease with Council for the land, as the result of helping implement a community developed plan for the village (called a Charrette). Initially the South Precinct urged Council to rescind its owner’s consent, but this proved not to be possible as the DA had already been lodged and accepted. The Precinct’s committee has since focused its energy on getting submissions lodged before the ex-
piry of the public exhibition period. It is understood a number of submissions were lodged by individuals, as well as one from the Precinct. In his submission, former councillor Howard Jones said, amongst other things, “It is highly arguable that the ‘public benefit’ derived from the lease (already minimal at $1 per year for use of the land), is totally negated by the area of Lot 52 [the leased land] being totally incorporated within the 98 Fern Street business for a period of 98 years. “There is a strong argument that the Council should be insisting on a much better return to the community from the lease of Lot 52.” In its submission, the Precinct says “the proposal completely
ignores the 1995 Charrette findings of protecting ‘the best view in town for public use’ created on a new ‘public plaza’. “The DA offers only the patrons of the café this experience, therefore excluding the general community and tourists.” The Precinct believes that the clause in the lease that states ‘all tables and chairs be removed at the end of each day’ is crucial to the situation, as it supports the idea of a public plaza after hours. The proposed blocked access denies this purpose. A website gives their case: savewerriviews.happenings.id.au It is expected that the DA will not come before Council until its November meeting at the earliest.
Remember the Kiama Picnic Train? p4 4th generation home on market p5
New music festival for Berry p8
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