Chatterbox closes stores

Chatterbox Marketplace has closed its Kiama shopfront, along with four other locations in NSW citing a difficult trading environment for its ethical, sustainable and handmade goods and gifts.

• Has Council fully considered all interests, conditions, agreements and restrictions in the land, in particular:

• The interests of the residents of the independent living units?

• The restriction of use on the title?

• Any conditions in funding agreements for the restoration of Barroul House The Report acknowledges the complexity of the planning proposal and the community’s recognition of the significance of Council’s decision on the reclassification. Further, the community will continue to be following the process and the future of Bonaira closely.

It concludes with the observation that providing information on these questions may help address community concerns and ‘will need to be given consideration in furthering the reclassification process’.

By Tracey Henderson

Founder Natasha Cuevas took to Instagram to announce the company’s closure, saying that the company had turned over close to $10 million in its four years of trading despite “fires, a pandemic, a war and ongoing economic struggle”.

“Despite the team’s massive efforts to continue trading and supporting over 70 local small businesses and 20 plus staff over five locations, after four years of trading, we have not remained immune to the challenging times we have faced,” Natasha said.

The Bugle understands Natasha planned to sell the

Chatterbox stores in Kiama and Nowra, but those plans were dashed two weeks ago. She also told The Illawarra Mercury she would pay all stall holders renting spaces in Chatterbox stores what they’re owed, and that all employees have been compensated.

The Kiama store was opened in 2021 at the start of a second lock down for the region, a difficult time for any business to start trading. Both the Kiama and Nowra stores are closed as of 1 June.

Chatterbox was approached for comment. by

Brendon Foye

People power moves Windmills

continued from p 1 It’s not just aesthetics that need to be accounted for.

Councillor Brown said one of the other reasons the move north makes sense is because it could potentially disturb the migration patterns of whales, a major drawcard for tourists in the region.

Each wind turbine would require four large anchors to secure it to the coastal shelf.

Finally, the issue of infrastructure. Councillor Brown says building turbines so close to Kiama would require significant upgrades to energy infrastructure like hire tension wires, which already exists in Port Kembla.

Given one of the reasons for building more renewable energy sources is to better secure the NSW power grid, it would be more sensible to use the existing infrastructure we already have, according to Councillor Brown.

by Brendon Foye