McCallum to run for the Greens
Concerns over Town Centre DCP
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Malcolm’s 60 years of service p8
Col’s big adventure
Locals tackle storm debris p11
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26 MARCH 2022
Yes to Co-Op DA
Mel Matters of The Hill Bar & Grill is hopeful that the first stage of the $5-6 million revitalisation of the historic Gerringong Co-Op will be open by Christmas. “Once we have all the documentation in place, we’ll be straight onto it.” A decision on the DA was first deferred at the March Council Meeting, due to councillors’ concerns for neighbours’ amenity. That decision was rescinded at an Extraordinary Meeting convened solely to consider that DA. The Mayor Neil Reilly reminded councillors that the decision needed to be based on planning reasons,
not community sentiment or any urgency placed on the matter by a $2.4 million employment generation grant requiring an approved DA. While councillors pointed out that the DA had previously been deferred, not knocked back, the Mayor confirmed that a deferral on a long standing DA was regarded as a deemed refusal. Councillors Renkema-Lang, Rice and Keast argued strongly for the need to take more notice of the impact on neighbours, given the activity was only allowed on B7 land because of its heritage status. The final motion, which was approved 8:1 (Renkema-Lang against) included
Kiama will get a full headspace centre if an Albanese Labor Government is elected in May. “I understand at SENTRAL Youth Services [run by Council] there’s been a 70 per cent increase in presentations here, with staff seeing 20-30 young people a day,” said Emma McBride, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health, on making the $5 million commitment. “We know that early intervention works, we know that half of all mental health problems emerge before someone is 14 years of age and we
know that children and young people of this community deserve proper support. “They don’t need to be waiting two or three or six months for the care and support they need. “In a community like this where there is a growing and unmet need, this will provide the full suite of headspace services across the full week and that will work very well with the existing headspace services that are in Nowra and Wollongong.” The planned headspace centre would include a full
additional conditions acknowledging community concerns about parking and traffic during the development and operation of the site. It committed Council to making an investigation of parking and management a year after the site opens for
business. It also added extra emphasis on the need to minimise environmental fumes and odours, particularly from the smokehouse. Mel and her husband Dean Matters bought the 4385sqm complex with local friends,
Labor commits to a headspace in Kiama
Emma McBride, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health, and Fiona Phillips MP (front) with Councillor Stuart Larkins, continued on page 4 Councillor Imogen Draisma and Mayor Neil Reilly
Phone: 4232 2757 21B Barney Street, KIAMA
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David Phillips and Charlene Dawson, a year and a half ago for $2.25 million – over a million dollars above the reserve set by the receivers. The DA shows the plan to create a flexible complex of food areas that can be utilised for different purposes and in different combinations. There are two restaurant spaces – a bigger one at the northern end (in what Mel still calls the Truck Room – and will be Stage One) and a more intimate, up-market one at the building’s southern end. There will also be: • a family oriented outdoor garden area along the eastern side of the building with a smokehouse and pizza oven • a takeaway kiosk • a large centrally located commercial kitchen • carpark and other necessary facilities. A 3.3 metre brick wall will be built on the eastern side, between the garden area and the carpark, to mitigate noise. The complex is expected to create many employment opportunities in Gerringong, both during construction and when it is operational. This was welcomed by all councillors.
Gareth Ward charged The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, has been charged with three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault. The charges follow an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad. Mr Ward, 40, resigned from the Government in May last year over the inquiry, and has since sat on the crossbench. Police will allege in court that the man indecently assaulted a 17 year old boy at Meroo Meadow in February 2013, and sexually abused a 27 year old man in Sydney in September 2015. Mr Ward has released the following statement (shown in full): “I have today been charged in relation to events alleged to have taken place in 2013 and 2015. “I am completely innocent of the charges brought against me. “I will be instructing my lawyers to seek to bring this matter before the courts as quickly as possible and I look forward to demonstrating my innocence there. “While others have already attempted to prosecute my case in the media rather than the courts, out of respect for our system of justice I will not be doing the same. “Accordingly, I will be making no further comment at this time.” He was granted bail and will appear at Port Kembla Local Court on 18 May.
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