Acclaim for Pines

Federal Minister for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has brought The Pines dairy farm in Kiama to national attention for their sustainable and regenerative practices.

The praise was broadcast in Federal Parliament when Fiona spoke on her support for the Labor Government’s Nature Repair Market Bill 2023.

story of The Pines, which was founded in 1854 and is now a family run microdairy operated by Kel and Mahlah Grey.

“They manage all facets of farming themselves, using organic, biodynamic, holistic and regenerative farming methods.

Next was Ron Micaleff, who was responsible for running the Driver Reviver stations and potentially saving hundreds of lives just by having a cuppa and a chat with passing motorists.

Lion Cheryl Moses was thanked for managing the Carers Cottage, which the club rents out to holiday makers, as well as managing Comedy for a Cause at the Kiama Leagues Club, which proved to be one of Kiama Lions Club’s most successful events throughout the year.

Finally, Mr Scifleet welcomed incoming President John Larkins: “I wish you and your board

Your Local Dental Team • Kiama

The Bill seeks to establish a Nature Repair Market, which aims to make it easier for businesses and organisations to invest in projects that protect and repair the natural environment.

The market will be overseen by the Clean Energy Regulator, an independent statutory authority, which will be able to issue tradable

Kel Grey

biodiversity certificates to Australian landholders.

The Minister shared the

“They place a huge emphasis on sustainability and enhancing the precious ecosystem of the farm, where the wellbeing of animals and the land is at the forefront of everything and regenerative farming practices ensure nothing from the farm goes to waste.”

By Brendon Foye

Less Councillors: Croxford

continued from p.1 same group.”

Councillor Croxford says he also considered reducing the number of Councillors from nine to five, but landed on seven because it strikes the right balance between efficiency and representation. Having seven Councillors would result in a ratio of 3,384 residents per Councillor, bringing it much closer in line with neighbouring Councils. He added that five Councillors could streamline decision-making even further but could limit effective representation.

If the motion is successful and passes all regulatory hurdles, it won’t be until the 2028 local Government election that the Councillor headcount is reduced.

The motion first needs to be put to the public for a 42-day consultation. Any submissions the Council receives in that time will help inform its debate.

Council must vote on a resolution 12 months before the next local Government election takes place, which is expected to be held 15 September 2024, in order to allow the NSW Election Commission time to provide the Kiama LGA with a referendum on the changes to Councillor numbers for that 2024 election.

Council is expected to vote on whether to approve the motion at its August Council meeting. If successful, Council will provide a summary of the motion as well as public consultation submissions to the NSW Minister for Local Government before being handed to the NSW Electoral Commission. If the referendum is approved, it will come into effect at the next local Government election, which will take place in 2028.

By Brendon Foye

Life’s sweet in a candy shop

Kiama Sweet Company owner Jennifer James is preparing to take her confectionary business on the road for the first time. Well, at least as far as the Kiama Winter Festival.

Her business is nearing its one-year anniversary in July 2023, so we caught up with Jennifer to discuss how the past 12 months have been.

“It’s been great, it’s been really well received by the community,” Jennifer told The Bugle.

The idea for Kiama Sweet Company actually came from Jennifer’s brother, who has run a similar business in regional Victoria for around 20 years.

“My brother has a store called the Echuca Heritage Sweet Store on the border of NSW. It’s much bigger than here but it’s still pretty much the same store.

“I wanted to replicate what he’s done here, so with his assistance, I opened it and tweaked it a little bit more because the clients are a bit different.”

Jennifer says the main difference between her Kiama clients is the frequent visits from Sydneysiders who are harder to impress. She says she’s landed on the winning formula to keep locals and tourists happy though.

“What I wanted to do was really create something that wasn’t just a lolly store. We’ve got a range of Dutch Licorice, European Chocolate, a range of beautiful cordials from Beechworth in Victoria’s high country, so just something a bit different,” says Jennifer.

“Being a sweet company, we try to go into everything that’s sweet, although the Dutch licorice is pretty salty. We also have a range of gifts that go with those chocolates like tins filled with yummy things.”

Jennifer also prides herself on bringing snacks not just from around the world, but around Australia, to Kiama as well, including fudge from