The Bugle 2 October 2021 by The Bugle Newspaper

Traffic & Parking findings

Planning reform gathers pace

Land Council’s Federal appeal

Award for Helen McDermott

Road design concerns

p11

2 OCT 2021

See what’s in store for Kiama Village Woolworths has lodged its DA for the upgrading of Kiama Village. The final plan has benefited from feedback received through pre-lodgement community consultation. “We were really pleased to hear from the people of Kiama and it’s great that their ideas and priorities align with the vision we have for the renewal of the Centre,” says Tony Pratt, Regional Development Manager, Woolworths. “We understood the concerns locals had with the previous proposal and were able to address issues such as sufficient setbacks, no vehicle access via Meares Place and maintaining the existing footprint of the site. “We are looking forward to working with Council through the DA proposal as quickly as possible to refresh the shopping centre and de-

liver the shopping experience Kiama locals deserve. “We spent time looking at the things that make Kiama the unique town it is, and we want our designs to honour the town’s history and coastal look and feel.” Over 350 people respondsed to the survey, and not surprisingly 95 per cent said they wanted improved car parking. 97 per cent were in favour of expanding the supermarket’s offering, and almost 90 per cent wanted improved pedestian access. The proposed redevelopment includes: • a larger, full-range Woolworths supermarket with an improved offering • inclusion of a direct-toboot service to pick-up An artist’s impression highlighting the two level car park online orders charging points • improved access • the number of car parks • new and continued spe• refurbished centre interior although there will be some being increased from cialty shops and services • better landscaping. line-marking and landscapArtist Impression 5ing upgrades. 189 to 254, including two • improved car parking Kiama Village There will be no structural DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION spaces for electric vehicle layout change to the rear car park, Woolworths Group believes 210019/CP804 it has come up with a design, materials and colour palette that are sensitive to the streetscape and acknowledge the coastal feel of the town. The facelift isn’t expected to be completed until 2023, Council’s CEO Jane Stroud Woolworths and other rehas thought of a novel way tailers will continue to trade to get to talk with locals in throughout the project, with these strange times. parking disruption during See page 2 for details of construction to be profeshow you can express your sionally managed. interest in meeting her. The DA will be on exhibition shortly. ClarkeHopkinsClarke

Melbourne 115 Sackville Street Collingwood Victoria 3066 Telephone (03) 9419 4340 Email studio@chc.com.au www.chc.com.au

Sydney 3/78 Campbell Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Telephone (02) 9221 9200 Email studio@chc.com.au www.chc.com.au

@ A1

143 Terralong Street KIAMA NSW 2533

Picnic with the

NSW Nominated Architect: Jordan Curran (10259)

CEO

An artist’s impression of the Terralong St view of the proposed redevelopment

ClarkeHopkinsClarke Melbourne 115 Sackville Street Collingwood Victoria 3066 Telephone (03) 9419 4340 Email studio@chc.com.au www.chc.com.au A1

Sydney 3/78 Campbell Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Telephone (02) 9221 9200 Email studio@chc.com.au www.chc.com.au

NSW Nominated Architect: Jordan Curran (10259)

Kiama Village 143 Terralong Street KIAMA NSW 2533

Artist Impression 4

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION

210019/CP803

20.09.21

27.09.21

Family projects It might be a little late for lockdown, but families can now enjoy a new website – Family Project – that provides fun COVID safe ideas including rock art, backyard movies, building herb gardens, creating chalk art and meditation. A NSW Government initiative, the free online portal is a collaboration between Gidget Foundation Australia and parenting organisation Tresillian – familyproject.org.au “We’re launching Family Project to support parents in being thoughtful and engaged role models as we know that can be a lot harder in practice than it sounds,” says Gidget Foundation Australia CEO Arabella Gibson.

Picnic with the CEO Three months into her role as Kiama Council CEO, Jane Stroud is keen to get out and about and meet more people in the community. In what looks like what will be the last week outdoor gatherings for the fully vaccinated will be restricted to five, Jane is inviting Kiama residents to picnic with her across the LGA next week. “I am a big believer that the CEO should be accessible to the community and getting first-hand feedback is important to me,” says Ms Stroud. “I’ve attended zoom meetings of the precincts, and it’s been wonderful to meet the people I have so far. “Now I’d like to extend an invitation to Kiama folk to get together to exchange views and share ideas.” From Wednesday 6 October, Ms Stroud will hold seven picnics, one in each of our villages: Minnamurra, Kiama Downs, Kiama, Kiama Heights, Jamberoo, Gerringong and Gerroa. If you’d like the chance to attend one, please email Council using the details to the right. Having relocated from Queensland, Ms Stroud is still new to the area, so says

Kiama Farmers' Market Summer hours back!

3 - 6pm

Remember to:Wear a mask QR code check in Wash your hands Keep your distance

this is also a great chance for her to get more familiar with different parts of the LGA. “Normally I’d be holding CEO listening posts and working out of town halls for a half a day where people can drop in and chat to me. That’s hard to achieve right now, but I’ll look to the new year to get those up and running again”. For now, she sees this as a relaxed way to meet people, listen to their ideas and to learn and hear from residents about their views on council.

If you’d like to picnic with Ms Stroud, send an email to council@kiama.nsw.gov.au with “CEO Picnic – Minnamurra, Kiama Downs, Kiama, Kiama Heights, Jamberoo, Gerroa, Gerringong (choose one)” in the subject line by Mon 4 October. Only those who are double vaccinated may attend. Please apply as an individual, rather than a couple or group. The picnic guests will be selected randomly and notified by next Tuesday 5 October. Picnics will be held weekdays at lunchtime from Weds 6 October. As host, she will bring along something from local businesses to eat and drink.

Getting ready to reopen and reschedule

With the reopening due to start on the 11th, for the fully vaccinated, we are looking forward to reinstating our What’s On page with plenty for you to do. Send details of any events you are planning to jack@thebuglenewspaper. com.au Listings are free and at the Editor’s discretion.

Our team will always listen to the community and improve council by: Ensuring accessibility and transparency Protecting environment and heritage Investing and promoting the arts Opposing overdevelopment Supporting better access to mental health programs and services

P.S Want a COVID Safe way to vote 4 Dec? Follow our Facebook page for more info!

EVERY Wednesday @ Surf Beach, Kiama

3-6pm as of WED. 6 October 2021

P: 0431 823 078. W: kiamafarmersmarket.com.au

LaborForKiamaCouncil

laborforkiama@gmail.com

LaborForKiamaCouncil

Authorised by J. Cole, ALP, Shop 6/4 Tingara Cres Kiama

2 | 2 October 2021

The Bugle

Land Council Traffic Fed appeal Boral has stopped work on its preparations for the new sand mine at Dunmore, after a request for urgent Federal intervention was lodged recently by the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council. The Land Council submitted the request for work to be stopped on the area in consideration of cultural objects and potential remains. “We were getting stories that the workers [experienced First Nations’ archaeological teams, known as Registered Aboriginal Stakeholders] were pulling a whole lot of artifacts out of the site,” says Mr Knight, Chief Executive of Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council.

“They were concerned at the quantity and, in conjunction with the significance of the site, they felt like the project should stop. “The Land Council didn’t believe the project should proceed in the first place because it is such a significant cultural area, not only for the massacre site. “The stories elevated our concerns and we couldn’t allow it to continue. We took the next opportunity for opposing it which was going under the Federal legislation. “It’s a very important area that needs to be recognised culturally as well as environmentally.” continued p4

& parking: what lies ahead It will come as a surprise to many that the draft Kiama Traffic & Parking Study (KT&PS) finds that there is no need to increase public car parking in the Kiama CBD for the next 10 years. The KT&PS was conducted by specialist consultants to investigate the feasibility and impact of concepts proposed in the Kiama Town Centre Study, which was endorsed by Council in September 2019, as well as looking at other growth pressures on traffic. The Town Centre Study was developed by Council,

Planning reform gathers pace While Kiama Council has succeeded in reducing its average nett DA processing time down to 70 days, from 87 in 2019/20, it is still way above the 40 days required by the State and achieved by other councils. “We did a short sharp burst to get DAs out so that we could get the grant [$3 million from the State Government for the redevelopment of Hindmarsh Park] but that’s not sustainable,” says the Director Environmental Services, Jessica Rippon. “We did that by focusing on our more simpler DAs, to turn them around in a much shorter timeframe. “You need to make the changes in processes and systems and resource allocation to have sustainable

improvements and change that is ongoing to support the customers.” She says the Planning Reform Process Council is undertaking is broader than just processing DAs, although that is a significant element. “It is a holistic program looking at the entirety of what Planning does.” This includes strategic planning, various building certificates, inspections, compliance work and more. However, the most significant interaction the community has with Planning staff involves DAs. Extensive work has already been done behind the scenes to improve processes and clear the backlog of old applications, but more change

is necessary to meet expectations. “When I started at Council I continued the push to get a lot of the aged DAs out of the system, and then moved to the target of getting the simpler DAs out of the system quickly. “We are now moving back to focus on getting a number of DAs in the 100 day range out of the system, while doing the shorter ones as well.” Currently there are 104 DAs in the system. 63 of them are over 50 days, with 37 of those having been there for over 100 days. Council is now focusing on improving the customer experience to reduce the DA timeframes, as well as introducing a new rigor into

with extensive community involvement, to help balance growth in the Kiama town centre while also retaining its historic character. “In simple terms, once exhibited and endorsed, the Traffic & Parking Study will tell us what we need to put into our Capital Works Program years about improving traffic, pedestrian access, cycleways and parking in the Town Centre for the next 10 years,” says Mike Dowd, Council’s Director Engineering & Works. “It tested all of the things that came out of the Town Centre Study, to see: is it feasible from a traffic engineering perspective? What impact does it have somewhere else in the network? “Once we get feedback from the community, we need to weigh up technical versus community benefits and impacts to make a final list. “What will go back to Council after this exhibition is the final study, with a list of agreed options, that will then roll into a future works program.” Although it was conducted in July 2020, during the week and on a Saturday, the fig-

The Summer Streets initiative is judged to be feasible

ures have been extrapolated using accepted methodology to make the predictions. Amongst the findings in the 285 page report are: • warning that by 2131 it will be necessary to have traffic lights at the corner of Collins and Terralong • advising against making Terralong Street into a pedestrian-friendly zone (10km speed limit and priority for pedestrians) • removing the rumble strips in crossings in Terralong St in favour of raised zebra crossings

continued p6 The vision to encourage traffic into Railway Parade

• supporting the temporary closure of Terralong Street between Railway Parade and Manning Street (known as the ‘Summer Streets’ initiative), with appropriate traffic management plans • giving support to the idea of narrowing Terralong St on the western approach to the railway bridge and encouraging traffic to use Railway Parade • changing the intersection of Blowhole Point Road and Terralong St to give priority to those leaving the Point • installing a median strip at the intersection of Farmer and Manning Sts, to stop right hand turns • a raised platform for the whole intersection of Railway Parade and Bong Bong Sts. “I expect the traffic light proposal for Terralong and Collins, will be one of the ones more questioned by locals,” says Mr Dowd. continued p14

Property Law with a human touch. Whether you’re buying, selling or downsizing, Carter Ferguson senior solicitor Steve Warwick brings a more human, caring and contemporary approach to your property law needs. A proud Kiama local with deep experience in residential, rural, commercial and retirement villages, Steve provides the expert support, advice and representation you need to navigate the sale process from start to finish, ensuring you enjoy the best possible outcome. Steve specialises in property legal services, so for expert advice on all things property, get in touch or visit our Collins Street office in Kiama.

TMC887

Exceptional at Law. Human at heart.

(02) 4234 1900

info@carterferguson.com.au

carterferguson.com.au

thebuglenewspaper.com.au J887_CF Bugle Ad_May 21 ART.indd 1

17/6/21 11:52 am

2 October 2021 | 3

vices

Lack of proper approval halts free camping at Jamberoo Opinions were divided in Jamberoo this week after Kiama Council resolved not to reopen the small overnight free camping area at Kevin Walsh Oval, even when COVID allows. This decision wasn’t based on an analysis of the pros and cons of the activity, but on the late discovery that Council was allowing it without a DA. “I was surprised that it has never had an approval from Council,” says Mayor Mark Honey. “There was paid camping there back in the Sixties and Seventies, and it seems no one asked the question before now.” Over recent years, Council approved signs, the installation of a Dump Point for effluent disposal and the area, which was closed in April due to COVID, was patrolled by rangers. The site had four designated bays and a 48 hour limit. During this time, some locals have complained to Council about hygiene, health, security and antisocial behaviour from previous campers, but none of that led to the lack of a DA being noted. If the site is to be opened

up again, it will need a DA approved for it. Ross Douglas, President of the Jamberoo Tennis Club, isn’t opposed to having free camping in Jamberoo, but not on this site. “This area is unsustainable. People are jam-packed in cheek-by-jowl. There were massive Winnebagos or Pajero 4 wheel drives with caravans on the back.” He contends that the site is too close to the skate park and adjacent football car park. “The other day there were about 40 kids at the skate park, small kids on scooters. I see the potential for a child to be injured at some point.” Also, some campers had used the tennis club house for cooking or recharging phones without authorisation, items were taken and there were security and hygiene issues. Councillor Matt Brown, head of the Destination Kiama Advisory Committee, is also pleased to see this camp site closed. “I support the backpacking and budget camping markets. But nothing is free these days. Maintaining this site costs ratepayers money. People need to understand

Spring into a healthier you.

box. This could be monitored by local community groups.” Steve suggests that alternative sites could be explored, say directly across the road alongside the creek. “My instinct is that the overwhelming majority of the community was saddened that it was closed for COVID and now permanently.” The idea of looking for an alternate site or tourism strategy is shared by Councillor Neil Reilly. He regularly attends the Jamberoo Residents & Rate Payers Association and understands that The shady free camping area has been operating without a DA for the community is keen to find years, and is currently closed due to COVID restrictions tourism ideas that market we are a very small council would like to see it open in the special qualities of the with limited resources. the same site with some region for the betterment of “I’m here to promote changes. the district. paying overnight stays for my “We train on Wednesday “Campers and Jamberoo members. In our peak perievenings and it was often deserve something better ods, such as Christmas and quite normal for people from than this current site. Easter, we do have overflow the camping ground to join “Good tourism practice is budget camping and caravan us – young people from Euto have high prices for high sites at The Pavilion and rope or South America. So value locations, but I also Chapman Oval. culturally it was really nice. believe we need a stepped “Potentially we could “So, I do support the camp range of camping offerings. look at Jamberoo, but not at site. But it has been badly Our area is so nice, that we this location. Whatever we managed. It needed proper need to open it up to as many decide, it needs to be propsignage and the tennis club people as possible to share erly managed, budgeted and car park moved to the other it.” resourced.” side of the courts. Cllr Reilly says he is “This camping area was “Around Australia and the happy to work directly with really special,” says Steve world some campgrounds residents and ratepayers to Whitworth, Jamberoo Footcall themselves free, but investigate a solution to the ball Club President, who mostly they have a donation camping issue.

pre-paid funeral plans

• Want to move more & do more?

• Planning a new exercise programme? • Tired of feeling stiff & sore?

The perfect time

to plan ahead is

today

We’re here to support your spine and joint health.

Call 4232 2371

to discuss our range of pre-paid funeral plans

TO THE EDITOR

In these difficult times it’s so good to be able to pick up and read The Bugle newspaper to keep up to date with the local news. The community focus, sound journalism and vitality of the paper are much appreciated. Congratulations to the Bugle team and a special tick for your honest disclaimer. “Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the

information in this publication, but we are only human”. I think we are all members of that club. Deb McPherson, Gerringong We welcome letters. Word limit of 150. Writers’ names and addresses must be provided. Letters published at the Editor’s discretion. Send to news@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Land Council Fed appeal from page 3

Apart from being a significant site for local indigenous communities, the site where Boral’s approved sand mining expansion is going ahead is also in the vicinity of a massacre of at least six Aboriginal people by white people in October 1818. “We were quite confident that there were going to be a lot of objects or examples of occupation being found in that area,” says Mr Knight. “We were fully aware of how well that area was used in the past so tried to not allow the mining to proceed in the first place, but unfortunately it was given the green light. “We’ve protested that decision by deciding to ban any activity of the Land Council on that site, or in relation to that project, and haven’t participated in it from that point on.” The Land Council’s action is supported by Friends of the Minnamurra River, who oppose the sandmining on a number of fronts. Boral says they are working with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, registered Aboriginal parties and the Land Council while the Department and Minister consider the application. They also stated that there has been no evidence connecting the Dunmore Stage 5 Project with the massacre site located on the Minnamurra River after test excavations, salvage works and ground penetrating radar were used. “Boral places great importance and value on Aboriginal heritage,” said a Boral spokesperson. The full text of Boral’s statement is available at www. thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Taylor Chiropractic Kiama

STAN CRAPP 1/89 ManningFUNERALS Street, Kiama

4233 0926

125 Manning St, Kiama

www.taylorchiropractic.com.au

Your Local Dental Team • Kiama Offering maximal care & minimal intervention to ensure your oral health. Our services include sedation using Relative Analgesia.

Call 4233 1313 for appointments Tues, Wed & Fri 8.30am to 5.30pm 3/5 Railway Parade Kiama (Next to Kiama Library)

www.keithlester.com.au 4 | 2 October 2021

The Bugle

Focus on strategic Freedoms from the 11th planning outcomes With Council’s Strategic Planning unit aiming to complete a number of projects by the end of this financial year, the community will soon be asked to get involved in the process on a number of fronts. “We have timeframes in the Local Strategic Planning Statement that we have to meet,” says the Manager Strategy, Ed Patterson. The work to be finished is: • a Housing Strategy • an Employment Land Strategy • a Vegetation Study • the Heritage Review Program • Town Centre Studies • Character Studies. Some of these, like the Kiama Town Centre Heritage Study and Kiama Town Centre DCP, are already at draft stage after extensive work. While they are due to go to the February Meeting of Council, the scope of the Heritage Review has recently been extended to Jamberoo, with amendments to the village’s Heritage List due to presented to the March Meeting. Others, like the Housing

Strategy, are at the beginning of the process with Council in the midst of engaging an urban economist. “We’re collating information now in the background, all the statistics and figures and the undisputable numbers, and then we will go to the community in the next few months and have robust and frank conversations around where we are at and what do we need to do housing-wise to accommodate growth,” says Mr Patterson. The early stage of the Vegetation Study is also commencing with the engagement of an environmental/ ecological consultant for the LGA-wide study. The last Vegetation Study was done in 2007 and helped inform the 2011 LEP. It will influence a review of environmental zonings and biodiversity layers within the LEP as well as helping prepare a new bushfire prone land map. “We will be doing the community engagement as a block of conversations as a lot of them are linked to each other,” says Jessica. “What the discussion is

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

really about is, what do we want Kiama to look like in the future? How are we going to support ongoing development in growth there? What’s needed? What does growth look like, if at all and how can we do that appropriately in the right spaces? “Having that discussion will feed into each of these documents.” One piece of consultation that will stand more on its own is that for the Gerringong Town Centre Study. A consultant will also be engaged in early 2022 to commence community workshops to form the basis of the work, which is expected to be reported to Council in draft form in June. It is envisaged the process followed will be similar to that undertaken for the Kiama Town Centre Study, and that it will eventually result in a DCP for the central area. “We completely accept that this is ambitious but we are trying to stretch to greater heights in terms of what we deliver,” says Ms Rippon. “The idea is to have some active projects that sit across all key communities so that

October 11, or Freedom Day, will see most Kiama businessthey all start to become involved in this conversation es open their doors in some about what we want for form, shake Kiama LGA. “Even though we are all in off the COVID blues and start the same LGA, we are quite plating up once distinct in what we believe.” again. An extensive community “Vaccination engagement plan was submitted to the September remains our Live music is one of the things that will return ticket to freeMeeting of Council. your faux fur jacket from “We are really hopeful that dom,” said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in her the cleaner ‘cause we have the community will get insome catching up to do,” says volved because we need their recently released Roadmap manager Morgan Lewis. expertise and their input and to recovery. She explained that when Morgan is reaching out to their passion in all of the 70 per cent of people are all musicians to check that projects that we are doing,” fully vaccinated, if you are they are double vaxed and says Mr Patterson. double dosed and wearing plans to reopen the weekend “If the community don’t a mask, you can (at one perafter October 11. have ownership, it defeats son per 4m2) get a haircut, go “Re: vaccination, if it means the purpose. into a shop, eat at a restauwe can hear music, then we “So we really encourage rant, swim in the local pool, will do it. We’ve been strugeveryone to get involved.” gling as an audience and the Ms Rippon is keen to have invite five people over or artists have been struggling input from a wide cross sec- head back to your club. Those in the regions, like financially. So, let’s join those tion of people. “I’d really like to see a lot of us, will also be able to travel dots and have some fun.” throughout regional NSW. Luke Richards, manager of different demographics getA couple of weeks later, at the Gerringong Bowling and ting involved, including our 80 per cent, we can have 10 Recreation Club, is expecting young children and youth, people over, play sport, book an exceptionably busy season so we have different voices for 20 people at a restaurant from reopening right through heard.” and stand up at your club’s to March next year. The community engagebar for a beer. “Everywhere I go I get ment will begin in October, Music venue Fillmore’s is asked when we are going to and elements of it will feed reopen, like I have a magic into the DA Reform Program ready to rock. “Get your jabs, pick up wand and Gladys is my wife! (see page 3).

continued p12

2 October 2021 | 5

Planning reform gathers pace from p3 reporting an improvement in

decision making. As part of this, it will introduce its first DA Assessment Policy, so that applicants and staff have clear guidance on the process. “We are really focusing on the front end of the DA process,” says Ms Rippon. “What I would like to see over the next couple of months is for people to start

their experience with Council “I am aiming for people to feel that they are being responded to, they are having more improved customer service and they are having a better front end experience with Council. “Over the next months, Council will be seeking feedback and having conversations with all of our stake-

holders about the process and systems improvement in this planning reform. “I’m sure there are going to be lots of people who are unhappy – I’ve already spoken to some – but I hope as we keep asking that question we will start to see a change in the feedback we receive.” Judging by the number of people who have complained to The Bugle over the years,

KIAMA TERM 4 2021 COURSES RTO #91284

NATIONAL TRAINING MASTERS

TAE40116 CERTIFICATE IV IN TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT

BSB41419 CERTIFICATE IV IN WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

1-DAY PER WEEK FOR 18 WEEKS THURSDAYS 9AM TO 4PM OCTOBER 2021 TO APRIL 2022 CLASSES START THURS 14 OCT 2021

1-DAY PER WEEK FOR 18 WEEKS TUESDAYS 9AM TO 4PM OCTOBER 2021 TO APRIL 2022 CLASSES START TUES 12 OCT 2021

ENROLMENTS OPEN NOW! SMART AND SKILLED GOVERNMENT FUNDING AVAILABLE Contact us today 1300 653 501 admin@ntm.edu.au www.ntm.edu.au

but declined to go on the record for the sake of future interactions, there will be plenty to hear. While noting that positive feedback is also received, the report to Council on the Planning Reform Program says that key concerns outlined in complaints include timeliness of decision making; communication and responsiveness; additional information requests; changing advice or moving of the goal posts; inconsistent fee application; tone and timing of communication; compliance actions and investigation processes; complaints management; understanding expectations; and complexity of information and guidance provided by staff. The experience of Brooke Barrett of Kiama Downs in trying to get a DA approved for a large extension to the back her house echoes many of these frustrations. She has only just heard back from Council after waiting since July to receive news of the changes they want to the design. “This whole process with Kiama Council has been very distressing and it’s causing me a lot of stress and anxiety. “To not even hear from them or get a response to the emails we sent is highly unprofessional. “I have built two houses in both Shell Cove and Noosa in the last couple of years and they were a breeze to get through council.” Ms Rippon will also be talking to stakeholders about the changes that they are looking at implementing to speed up decision making. “It is going to be a new way we are going to do business. We will explain what we are proposing to do and how we are doing it, and what we are expecting, and the question will be does that work for you?”

She explains that cultural change will be necessary on both sides. “Our community is very sensitive around their expectations of development,” she says. “Things like decks or sheds that you think are simple can be very complex here. “There’s been a lot of emphasis on us working for as long as it takes to get a yes, or a positive outcome for the applicant which is also positive for the community. “Those kind of decisions and negotiations have taken a long time in the past.” To reduce the timeframes down on a sustainable basis, she says this needs to change so decisions get made more quickly. “We need to have some very robust discussions about what is acceptable in terms of complaints and submissions and expectations from a community perspective, because if we are expected as an organisation to speed up timeframes then we’re going to have to be more clear on our decisions early on.” What is proposed is that rather than working through applications seeking multiple amendments or more positive outcomes, the approach will be to make decisions early and clearly. This approach follows the Department of Planning’s Development Assessment Best Practice Guide. The report to the September Meeting said, “It is noted that making decisions early in the process such as seeking applicants to withdraw applications or determining by way of refusal will speed up the application process. It may however increase court proceedings and review requests. To ensure this new approach is clearly communicated to industry and applicants, it is proposed to create a Development Assessment Policy which outlines our expectations and methods.

Staff will need the support of the Council to ensure that our decisions are respected and that decisions made will be timely and in accordance with all required legislation and policy but may not be popular.” The Reform will also see the formalisation of a Major Projects Cluster, bringing together the Director Environmental Services, Manager Strategic Planning, Manager Strategic Assessment, and Engineering and Economic Development staff, to support key development sites. There will also be a focus on speeding up the processes to enable commercial activity, which will be welcomed by the business community. Paul Paterno’s experience in getting his DA through for Little Betty’s bar in Collins St so frustrated him that he is standing for Council on the Your Community Candidates ticket. His application for a commercial change of use, from retail to food and drink, took five months. “The experience we shared was far from good, although eventually approved. The whole process is flawed,” he says. “How can ‘mum and dad’ investors be expected to engage in a commercial leasing agreement whilst still waiting for approval or even initial consultation with council? “The costs that start incurring throughout the DA process due to a discretionary process by the officers in charge are completely unnecessary and need reviewing. “It genuinely surprises me that more businesses don’t go under even before they are operational. “Council should be doing what they can to make the process more time and cost efficient which would in turn welcome more small business operators to the LGA which according to me is the backbone of our community.”

with Jack Wallner

Thank you very much Numbers Count for your guidance and support. Best team of people to have on your side. –Alison M

small business advice • business plans • taxation solutions cashflows • superannuation • self-managed superfunds

t 4234 0902 6 | 2 October 2021

f 4234 0932

e info@numberscount.com.au

w numberscount.com.au The Bugle

JUST LISTED

Beat The Post Lockdown Rush

Coast & Country First National’s ‘Ready to Sell Roadmap’ With the current lockdowns, we’ve seen a perception among vendors that they should hold off and wait for restrictions to lift before listing their property.

2/146-152 Fern St, Gerringong New to market | Terry Digger

During the lockdown, the stock has remained low, and demand has remained high. Like any commodity, supply and demand influence real estate prices. The shortage of properties for sale has continued to push rising prices and expensive sale prices for rundown properties. NSW is on track for restrictions to be eased by mid-October. After a prolonged COVID lockdown, reaching the 70% double vaccination target will change a lot. Fully vaccinated people will travel freely around NSW, provided they are not coming from or going to an area deemed a “hotspot”.

2/12 Willowbank Pl, Gerringong New to market | Jason Stalgis

COMING SOON

We expect to see a flood of ‘post lockdown’ listings with these changes and renewed confidence. Property inspections will resume, and we are encouraging vendors to take the leap and get ahead on the front of the wave. Preparing your property for listing has always been an essential part of the selling process,

but we see this as crucial in the coming weeks. If you’re new to it or it’s been a while since you’ve sold a property, now is the time to start talking to one of our sales agents. Understanding what to focus on to get the best results will help you create a roadmap for your selling journey. Getting an up-to-date property appraisal is essential, not only in preparation for selling, if you plan to refinance or even just want to know the current value of your property. The appearance of your property from the street is the starting point, as first impressions do count. A good agent will guide you on where to start and when to invest your time and possibly money. We’re here to help. If a traditional appraisal is something you’re uncomfortable with right now, then Coast & Country First National can offer you a ‘Drive-by’ assessment.

Terry Digger

Managing Partner First National Coast & Country

We can help you to decide:

215 Jerrara Road, Jerrara Coming soon | Andy Wharton

1/2 Gipps St, Kiama

78 Meehan Dr, Kiama Downs

Coming soon | Andy Wharton

Coming soon | Terry Digger

Book a FREE property appraisal today with one of lifestyle and rural property specialists

RECENT SALES Terry Digger

6 Koraaga Rd, Gerringong $1,850,000 | Angie Ritchie

Joe Dignam

KIAMA

Claire Nunn

Owen Taylor

2/110-112 Terralong St P 4232 288

Jason Stalgis

Julie Vaux

David Hall

GERRINGONG 119 Fern Street P 4234 1911

w w w. c o a s t a n d c o u n t r y f n . c o m . a u thebuglenewspaper.com.au

Angie Ritchie

Andy Wharton

Dana Edwards

Ryan Stalgis

SHOALHAVEN HEADS 1/131 Shoalhaven Hds Rd P 4448 8344 @coastandcountryfn 2 October 2021 | 7

Council joins New Blue call for action The September Meeting of Kiama Council has unanimously endorsed becoming a signatory to the Better Futures Australia Declaration, as part of the lobbying it committed to in its new Net Zero Strategy and Emission Reduction Plan. The Better Futures Australia Declaration is a joint statement of support that brings together private and public sector leaders in taking ambitious climate action to ensure Australia is on track for a prosperous, climate-resilient zero emissions future, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Kiama is one of the first councils to become a signatory, echoing its early membership of the Cities Power Partnership (CCP). “Local councils are demonstrating to other levels of government that it is a desire of the community to address climate change, and we are showing how it can be done,” says Mayor Honey. CCP is encouraging its members to get behind the broader initiative, and has just released a report showing more support and funding is needed to help local governments cope with the costs of climate change.

8 | 2 October 2021

Report author and Climate Council spokesperson, Professor Lesley Hughes says the risks and demands on local government will continue to increase as climate impacts worsen. “Climate impacts cut across almost all areas of local government responsibility including the maintenance of critical assets and infrastructure and delivery of essential community services. As the closest tier of government to the community, councils are often at the forefront of disaster response. “State and Federal assistance is falling short of what’s required to help councils prepare for and respond to extreme weather. “However, while council responsibilities – including those related to climate change – are growing, their tax revenue has shrunk to the fourth lowest share among the 30 industrialised nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. “Effectively, councils are being asked to do more, with less. Without increased funding, guidance and support, I can’t imagine how they will continue to protect and provide for their communities.”

Plaque program welcomed Kiama’s most important historic sites could soon have plaques installed to have their value acknowledged and recognised across the state through the NSW Government’s new Blue Plaques program. A Blue Plaque can be nominated for any place that locals believe to be of importance to heritage, Indigenous culture, particular events and notable personalities. The program follows a long established tradition in the UK and other parts of the world. “There’s quite a few important sites here that people might want to nominate,” says Sue Eggins, President of Kiama and District Historical Society. “It’s a good idea to recognise these sites formally.” The key sites that get accepted by the Blue Plaque program will have their heritage value recognised by one of the distinctive plaques, which now include a link to a digital story. “There are many sites to consider in our region – some would have much local value to the community and others would have more

national value,” says Sue. “One person that I think is important is David Smith, who was the first European to actually permanently live in Kiama. “David had lived opposite the Grand Hotel, where the Bathers Apartments are now. He was a cedar-getter before he came into town, built a little house and then opened a hotel here. “Another person deserving of a plaque is Charmian Clift, who actually lived in two separate houses in Hothersal Street, both of which are still there [one pictured].” Sue believes participation in the program will be valuable to the community by providing extra information on our local history. “One of the things that a lot of people, both locals and tourists, said in the Town Centre Study was that they like the heritage value of the town and they like looking and learning about it when they come here,” says Sue. “It’s important for these places to be acknowledged before they are gone and even if they are already gone then a plaque can still

acknowledge the site. “These sites are all part of our local history and to me, history is part of a collective memory. If you don’t have any heritage places around the town then you end up with a town with not so much character and lots of new, multi-story buildings.” Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, is also encouraging locals to nominate an important site worthy of a Blue Plaque. “I am asking everyone to think of the places in their community that have an important story attached to them and submit those suggestions to my office to be nominated for a Blue Plaque,” he says. “The place could be a

much loved historic building, a place linked to a moment in history, or even somewhere linked to a local hero. “We want everyone to be involved in making suggestions so that we can recognise the people and places in our history.” All nominations must go through Mr Ward’s office in the first instance. The Blue Plaques program is part of a $5 million heritage engagement program funded by the NSW Government.

For more information and nomination forms, visit: https:// bit.ly/HNSWBluePlaques Email nomination forms to kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au or drop into his office. by Jack Wallner

The Bugle

thebuglenewspaper.com.au

2 October 2021 | 9

Have you downloaded The Bugle App yet?

It’s our community hub of news and information

This code takes you directly to The Bugle App on the Apple and Android stores 10 | 2 October 2021

The Bugle

RAHS award for Helen The President of the Gerringong & District Historical Society, Helen McDermott, has been awarded the Royal Australian Historical Society’s prestigious Certificate of Achievement for her tireless work over the last four years in leading the transition to the collection’s new home. She was presented with the surprise award at a zoom meeting to celebrate the Society’s 30th anniversary. It had been hoped the occasion could have been held in the new Gerringong Museum, but the latest lockdown meant that wasn’t possible. In nominating her for the award, the Society said of Helen (amongst other things), “She has superb management skills that are based on an egalitarian philosophy of harnessing and developing the skills and capabilities of all members

to enable contribution to the Society. “She believes her main duty as President of the Society is to ensure relationships are enjoyable and that people feel valued and appreciated. “Despite her gentle

management style Helen leaves you in no doubt of her expectations and in this way she has managed to lead the Society on a more professional and strategic pathway. “Helen’s problem solving skills, negotiation skills,

communication skills, project management skills, relentless commitment and loving attitude have seen us survive and thrive through apparently intractable problems and situations. “Helen is driven by a great love for Gerringong people both past and present, a passion for preserving our history and sharing our story and is acutely aware of GDHS responsibilities as custodians of our heritage.” It had been planned to mark the anniversary by placing a time capsule in the new Museum, along with the 30 year old one from the old Museum, which was judged to recent to open just yet. It is expected the long awaited Library and Museum complex will be handed over by the builders shortly. No date has been set for the opening.

Road design causes concern Residents on Toolijooa Road, Gerringong, are appealing to Kiama Council to provide safety barriers on the recently improved section of their road between the highway and Dooley Road. Many are worried there will be accidents on this road, especially when the Beach Road end is resurfaced and this country lane becomes an even worse ‘rat run’. A severe drop-off from the new road’s shoulder means there is no verge for cars or bicycles to pull over onto. “They are battering the edge of the road 1 to 2, which is quite steep. They have piled road base up on each side of the road, but this will crumble away. There are no guard rails and no reflector sticks in place,” says Chris Cafe. “The road has been raised by 500mm or more in places. When you pull off the road into our driveway, it’s like coming over a little cliff, making it hard to get the car and boat into the property.” A spokesperson from Kiama Council says there is no plan in their design for a barrier to be installed. Mal Lambert says that the road, especially during COVID, is a haven for walkers and cyclists. “It is a fairly narrow road and if you were forced to get

Hay fever and Itchy Eyes Spring is lovely, but it is also the allergy season. If your eyes have become itchy recently, it could be hay fever affecting your eyes, which is called allergic conjunctivitis. Your first step is a trip to your optometrist, who can discuss the following treatment options with you: • cold packs • lubricating drops • antihistamine drops • anti-inflammatory eye drops • oral antihistamines - your pharmacist can help with a recommendation. If your child has this problem, it is important they don’t rub their eyes. We have some great ways to reduce the effects of pollen and avoid hay fever. Read more in the blog section of our website - www.eyeq.com.au

Jean Anderson

EyeQ Optometrists 124 Terralong St, Kiama 4232 2610 Convenient online bookings eyeq.com.au

off it quickly because a car or truck is coming, where do you go? There is no verge left.” “I wrote to council to place it on file that we have grave concerns about this road,” says Dianne Cafe. “I’m worried that one of our cars will get totalled because we have had to run off the side of the road. During construction, a car and a van ended up in the ditch and had to be pulled out.” The neighbours point out that this road gets a lot of through traffic to Beach Road, including the school bus, garbage trucks, milk trucks, Cleary Bros trucks and farmers’ tractors, sometimes with silage equipment moving between paddocks. “The safest thing when it

Mal Lambert shows how high the new road is in parts

was raining and a big truck or bus came by was to pull half off on the side of the road. But we can’t do that now,” says Mal. Speed is another significant concern for many residents. A young Nowra woman was killed on this road around five years ago and, according to Mal, the accident investigation unit said she was doing in excess of 130km/hr. “Speed is my main concern,” says Heidi Presland. “I rallied years ago to get speed limits on this road down from 100km/hr to 80 and 60 (on the unsealed section) and for double white lines to be placed around the bend near Dooley Road.

“But speeding will get worse when they seal the section down near Beach Road. This road has always been a quick way for tradies to get from Gerringong to Berry and people come flying through.” According to Mal, a police highway patrolman clocked cars doing 120 to 126km/hr on this road when the highway was being upgraded and traffic increased tenfold. Barry Campbell says that the greatest problem is the bend near Dooley Road, “It’s already a racetrack but will be much worse when it’s sealed. We need more signs near this bend to warn drivers.”

NEW CUSTOMER SPECIAL

Order two cylinders and the second is FREE

by Perrie Croshaw

WE ARE NOW SERVICING • Kiama Downs • Bombo • Kiama

• Kiama Heights • Gerringong • Gerroa

BLACKCATGAS.COM • (02) 4421 3477 The only locally owned and run independent LPG supplier in the Shoalhaven and Illawarra thebuglenewspaper.com.au

2 October 2021 | 11

use a

LOCAL Appliance Repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. Phone: 0401 294 810

Bricklaying Over 40 yrs experience. Small jobs, brick fences, letter boxes & brick repairs. Fully licenced. R77154 Terry 0400 359 790

Concreting Lay 1 4 U Concreting Services: Slabs, house and sheds, footing, paths and drives, colour stencil, stamp exposed. 40 yr exp. t Ron 0414 724 221. Fully insured. No job too small! LN139098C

Clean-up Services Rubbish/Junk removed - Tip runs. We recycle your tip waste. High Pressure cleaning. Call Ian: 0497 042 441

Draftsman/Building Designs Development Applications. Complying Developments New houses. Duplexes. Alterations & Additions. Decks. 25+ years experience. Michael Laidler 0410 126 354

Electrical Services

Paul Risby: Residential - Commercial - Industrial 24 Hour Call Out Service. Call 0497 001 175 LN: 109635C

Handymen Kiama Property Maintenance & Carpentry: Decks, Pergolas, Windows, Painting, Plaster repairs. All your maintenance needs & carpentry. John O’Donnell LIC#R77219 t 0401 301 620 Handyman South Coast: Trade qualified for painting, carpentry, plastering, pressure cleaning, all repairs & renovations. 'Fast, fixed, fabulous!' Danny Fagan: 0407 118 311

Painting

MAYORAL COLUMN Mark Honey talks directly with residents and ratepayers part as global citizens, I am proud to have been Mayor at a time Kiama Council has really ramped up its commitment to address its carbon footprint. I can’t claim credit for the great work that went into producing our Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan, and will be a humble citizen when work starts on our As we edge towards the much Community Emissions Redelayed council elections on duction Plan. 4 December, I have indulged But I have been proud to occasionally in reflecting on have worked with Cllr everything that’s happened Andrew Sloan, on behalf of since I became Mayor five our municipality, on imyears ago. portant initiatives such as It’s always dangerous for founding the Cities Power people in positions such as Partnership, a network of mine to start using the legacy local councils leading the word, but if I had to choose way towards a zero emisone thing I’d like to be sions future. remembered for is getting us Establishing this Partneras a community and counship, a great initiative in its cil doing something about own right with real world climate change. goals and outcomes, was also While we all can play our motivated by the long stand-

Keep dogs out of NPs

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is warning pet owners they face fines of $300 if caught with a domestic dog in a national park and patrols are increasing. “NPWS recently received reports of dogs attacking bushwalkers on the Illawarra Escarpment,” says NPWS Area Manager Graham Bush, noting that is just one concern. “National parks are designated protected areas that are specifically managed for their biodiversity values. Even the most well-behaved dog can inadvertently scare or harm native wildlife and will leave their scent in the bush which may keep wildlife away or disrupt their natural behaviour.”

Beasant Painting & Decorating: Interior & Exterior, New Builds, Repaints, Timber & Deck Maintenance Lic 183642 Steve: 0424325580 Melissa: 0414534990

ing failure of higher levels of government, especially the Australian government, to show leadership on this issue. While it is pleasing to see various state governments fill some of that void, Canberra remains the place that has the deep pockets and legal clout needed to get this nation united and on the road to net zero. They can’t rely on the Twiggy Forrests of the world to do the work for them. In the lead up to the Glasgow UN meeting, and a looming Federal election, there are rumours and noises from our capital they might soon be changing their ways. For my part, I think we should keep up the pressure on our leaders until we have something more concrete. So, with that in mind, I was more than delighted last week to sign the Better Futures Declaration, supporting the call for Australia to make an international commitment to transition to net zero emissions before 2050. Better Futures Australia is a network of public and private sector leaders designed to show we are ready, willing and able to tackle the causes and effects of climate change, even if our government doesn’t share our optimism. You can view the signatories here: www.betterfutures. org.au

Plumbing

Stonemasonry

Working with you to get you where you want to be...

BR Stonemasonry & Heritage Services: All aspects of stonemasonry, contact Brad Rimmer at T: 0401 337 629 Lic: 292667C

Window cleaning Flash Window Cleaning: Window cleaning internal/ external; full gutter service; building washes; pressure cleaning; venetian blinds; and solar panel cleaning. For a free quote, call Jamie 0448 714 374

To advertise your service here, contact Steve: 0428 662 499

from page 5

“But now that we have the vaccination data it’s easier to plan. We are getting our staff ready and following the NSW Health directive with regards to the double dose vax, One person per 4m2 and masks. “Music is a huge thing for us and we have big plans for the year with lots of outdoor music, carols on the green and a NYE event.” Jess O’Brien, Kiama Leagues Club Manager, says that kitchen staff will begin prepping towards the end of next week so that the club and bistro can open at 10am on October 11. “At this stage, we will book the bistro to 50 per cent capacity to allow for walk-ins. “We didn’t let any staff go but will need to advertise for new staff as we open up. “A big question for us, which the Government can’t answer at this point, is what’s going to happen if there is a COVID positive case in our venue? How will close contacts and isolation work? “If we have a large number of staff pulled, just wiped out because they are in isolation for 7 or 14 days, we will need people ready to step in. “No-one has the correct recipe for this yet. But in the back of our minds, moving forward we aim to have plenty of casual staff in place because we could easily find ourselves short down the track.”

Full details on the rules, which may change, at www.health.nsw.gov.au

Col Whitehurst Painting: Qualified, Reliable, Honest, Insured. Interior. Exterior. Heritage. Free quotes. 0400 135 128 RBP: Plumbing, drainage and gas fitting. Blocked drains a specialty! Call Ross 0435 125 750 Lic:262955c

Freedoms from the 11th

4236 2559

Offering service in all areas of law, including family law Renata Matyear solutions@simplicitylaw.com.au

DEFERMENT OF JVRRA 2021 AGM

Consistent with advice received from the NSW Office of Fair Trading and other authorities, this is notice of the deferment, to a date to be advised, of the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association Incorporated (JVRRA) which was previously scheduled to be held online on 5 October 2021. Notice is also given of the cancellation of the JVRRA’s October general meeting also previously scheduled to be held online on the same date. Members will continue to be kept informed of the activities of the JVRRA and notice of the next AGM will be provided in accordance with Sections 24 and 27(3) of the JVRRA Constitution. It is hoped that deferment of the AGM will give sufficient time for the NSW Public Health Orders to change to enable the AGM to be held face-to-face in the normal way, not online. Graham Pike, A/g Chair JVRRA, PO Box 146 JAMBEROO NSW 2533

12 | 2 October 2021

The Bugle

Bringing back cedar

Sculpture stolen

Minnamurra residents are disappointed by the theft of a Nineteen years ago, Peter large wooden sculpture from lem being McAra and Wendy Bloom deovercome, his their community-built and cided to plant red cedar trees cared for garden, on land just remains the on their Broughton Village east of the railway line. only cedar property, against the advice We reported on the garden plantation in of local farmers. last year, when residents told the area, and “I naively thought I could he thinks other us of the joy and connection replace boring cow pasture the greening of the area gave landowners with the magnificent Kiama should consid- to the whole community. red cedars which already The garden has a great er the option. dominated much of my charm, with garden ‘rooms’ The long property. Locals told me to or themes, quirky sculptures, term investforget it.” play areas and even a table of ment is provOnce referred to as ‘Red knowledge. ing an added Gold’, the cedar getting “Last year when he was attraction industry was the colony’s leaving the area, Greg Eager now that he third largest export in 1798. donated his sculpture of a and Wendy In 1821, Thomas Hyndes hand that he had carved with are have their received permission to cut a chainsaw 30 years ago,” property on and ship cedar from Gerrinsays Lynne Dron, who looks the market as gong, according to the Kiama they reluctantly after the northern end of the Library history of the region, move into town Railway Ave garden. and “By 1835 licences were after twenty required for cedar cutting years. with heavy financial penalties “Landholders for breaking the law.” and author of romantic novaround 5 or more metres considering an agroforestry The wood, which resemels. He thought it might be high. Most were bought from venture are best to contact bles mahogany, was used possible to use chemicals to the Jamberoo Native Nursery. a Plantation Assessment widely by furniture makers counter the tip moth problem “They had hundreds of Officer from the Department both in Australia and Europe. and so approached chemical trees and I bought them out! of Primary Industry Forestry But excessive logging led to giant Bayer CropScience. Some were nearly a metre Policy, Research & Developnear extinction of the tree in “For the next 10 years, tall when I planted them.” ment Team,” says Edmund many areas by the 1870s. they experimented in my The cedars will grow to Hogan, Senior Agriculture However the locals were plantations with numerous around 40–60 metres. Peter Advisor South Coast for the warning Peter about the chemicals. Finally, they found says you could harvest them Local Land Services. dangers of a specialist planone that worked.” soon and get a little money or “Courses can assist you to tation. Spray insecticides would harvest them later for more. develop planning and manRed cedars can be attacked be diluted by the heavy “Money was a one of the agement skills for your venby the dreaded cedar tip rainfall in the area and motivations for the plantature. Agroforestry is a longmoth (Hypsipyla robusta) would also be environmentions, but I was also driven term venture and requires an which lays its eggs on the tally unacceptable, so Bayer by another greenness. We on-going commitment.” tree’s highest shoot, the developed a chemical which had cows but we thought Kiama should celebrate its larvae burrow into the stem is inserted into a borehole in that was absolutely wrong cedar getting history, says causing dieback which then the tree trunk to work direct- for this environment and Peter. creates a multi-stemmed tree ly on the larvae burrowing would rather take the land “We should have a Cedar with little timber production into the wood. back to rainforest. I spent Village in Kiama, just like value. He only used it once and $10,000 getting the property Timbertown in Wauchope. Even though climatic the plantations have subsefenced for cows, then I spent I think it would be a very conditions are perfect for quently blossomed. another $10,000 pulling the viable thing. One friend has the native red cedars in this Peter now has on his 26 fence out!” even volunteered a team of region, farmers have been acre property three Toona These plantations are sigbullocks to show in such a dissuaded against considciliata var australis (red cenificant carbon sinks. village.” ering them for monoculture dar) plantations with around “If you calculate the volume Further Plantation Forestry plantations dense plantings 900 trees. Plus he has a of the trees, you can see how info: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ encourage this natural NSW Government Harvest much carbon we have taken forestry/forestry-operations/ predator. Guarantee which will convert out of the atmosphere – plantation-forestry However, Peter was a these trees into dollars. wood equals carbon, more or chemical engineer in a life The trees range in size less,” he says. by Perrie Croshaw before being an academic from just tiny whips to Despite the moth prob-

“My husband spent hours fixing it up and then glued it to a rock. “People loved it. “It was a real attraction, kids loved having their photos taken on it.” Then on Monday 27 September, between noon and 2.30pm, the sculpture was stolen from its location, opposite Boyd St. “A lot of people are saying they can’t believe someone would do something like that,” says Lynne. “It is 70cm high and wide, and very heavy. “It is so shocking that someone would steal it.”

If you can help get it back, please contact us at news@ thebuglenewspaper.com.au or call 0412 415 101

SOLAR MADE EASY Want to deal with local solar experts whose mission is to make solar easy? ● easy to understand ● easy to install ● easy to save The Energy Experts take the pain out of the solarbuying experience.

We can help you with: ● Grid-Connected & Off-Grid Solar Power

Get quality components that will last you for decades to come.

BEAUTIFUL GARDENS BEGIN HERE! EXPERT ADVICE QUALITY PLANTS & LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES PERSONAL SERVICE

theenergyexperts.com.au or call 1300 516 474

● Battery Storage ● Solar Hot Water

80 BARNEY ST KIAMA

● Solar Pool Heating

Based in Kiama. Proudly serving Kiama and surrounds. thebuglenewspaper.com.au

PH: 4233 1322 OPEN 7AM - 4.30PM WEEKDAYS & 7AM - 4PM SATURDAYS 2 October 2021 | 13

DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES Servicing customers from Helensburgh to Shoalhaven Heads, including Kangaroo Valley and Southern Highlands

Switchboard upgrades LED lighting Electrical inspections Smoke detectors c/w certificate Emergency lighting Fire detection systems New homes & renovations Data & communications

24 HOUR & 7 DAYS AVAILABILITY FULLY INSURED

0497001175

0408420536

Licence no. 351250C

GERROA USE WAVE HO

Construction Managers

WALLEE NARRA OUSE H BEACH

EXPERIENCED - CREATIVE - LOCAL (02) 444 16 444 www.prmarchitects.com.au

ard na mara GERRINGONG

Patrick Mahedy (ARB 4770) is PRM’s nominated Registered Architect and Registered Town Planner (RPIA)

On Your Side. I am your representative in the Australian Parliament. I can help with issues like Medicare, Centrelink, aged care and pensions, the NDIS, Veterans’ Affairs and community grants. I can also arrange special birthday and anniversary messages, and information for pensioners and seniors. You can contact me on 4423 1782.

FIONA PHILLIPS MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GILMORE WWW.FIONAPHILLIPS.COM.AU 02 4423 1782

(02) 4423 1782 3/59 Junction Street Nowra NSW 2541 1/6-8 Orient Street Batemans Bay NSW 2536 Fiona.Phillips.MP@aph.gov.au Fiona Phillips MP @fiboydphillips

FIONAPHILLIPS.COM.AU Authorised by Fiona Phillips, ALP, 3/59 Junction Street Nowra

14 | 2 October 2021

Traffic & Parking

OBITUARY

Vale Fran Whalan Frances Bridget Carlin Whalan, nee Brassil, passed away peacefully at Blue Haven Care on September 5, 2021 at the age of 85. Fran was born 21 February 1936 at the Nurses Hill Cottage Hospital, and grew up in Maroubra. Fran was strategic, compassionate and always with a plan to improve her community which was also part of her family. She moved to Kiama in 1970 when her husband Kevin became Editor of the Kiama Independent. Fran was a teacher of Grade 6 at Kiama Primary school for 17 years from 1970 until medically retired in 1987. Fran helped to found the Kiama and District Historical Society of which she became a Life Member. She worked on turning the Pilot’s Cottage into a successful local museum in 1983. She helped create the Kiama Heritage Walk booklet, which led to the many heritage plaques throughout Kiama. Her triumph was

publishing the full text of Henry Parkes’ famous Kiama speech and a Reenactment DVD. Fran studied and graduated with a Diploma in Applied and Local History in 1991 from University of New England and then worked as a part-time researcher at the University of Wollongong. Fran was also on Illawarra Health Consumers Board, founded Kiama District Health Watch and worked with Sandra McCarthy in the Save Kiama Hospital campaign and the preservation of Burroul House which is now the heritage cafe at Blue Haven. Recently she was active in the Kiama Council Naming committee which formed after her unsuccessful campaign to get Riverside Drive renamed George Fuller Drive, after the NSW State Premier who lived at Dunmore House. A life long member of the NSW Labor Party from the age of 15 in Maroubra, Fran read announcements on the Labor radio station 2KY in

from p3

the 1950s, worked in Terry Rumble’s office when he was Member for Illawarra and Bob Harrison’s office when he was member for Kiama. She was Secretary of Kiama ALP branch, and was always a great supporter of former Kiama Mayor Sandra McCarthy. It was a source of great pride to her that she had reared strong daughters and and helped rear strong grand daughters. Fran moved into a Blue Haven independent unit in 1996 where she lived until recently. She spent most of the last two years with younger daughter Susan who was her full-time carer. by Mark Whalan A longer version of this obituary is available on The Bugle App

TIME TO COOK This time, Fiona Weir-Walmsley from Buena Vista Farm is tempting us with cake!

Utterly Awesome Chocolate Cake

Er, am I allowed to say things like that?! I’m not blowing my own trumpet. I didn’t create this recipe – I just tinkered with it. Like it? It’s a thing of beauty, right? Can we talk about recipe provenance? Once, many years ago when we still lived in Sydney, my friend Anne-Marie made this cake for her son’s birthday party and I begged for the recipe. It was, she said, her friend Carol’s recipe. It was handwritten. Did Carol make it up? Was it a family recipe? Or did she find it in a book? I never even met Carol. And after you’ve reduced the sugar and the oil and upped the cocoa and baked it for every birthday in your family for ten years, does it count as yours? I don’t even know. Here’s what I’d like though: I’d like this to be your recipe! Please take it! Make it on a Sunday! Or for birthday cakes! It’s delicious. And easy. A gloriously chocolately chocolate cake that doesn’t actually use chocolate, which is convenient because it’s a lot harder to snack on a box of cocoa in the pantry than on a block of 70 per cent. Or budget cooking chocolate.

Everything that looks good at coa, salt, baking powder and three in the afternoon. bicarbonate of soda. Thank you, utterly awesome Add the dry ingredients to chocolate cake, wherever you the wet mix and beat well. came from. Pour into the prepared cake tins and bake for about Ingredients 35 minutes in a fan-forced 330 g (1½ cups) white sugar oven. (A conventional oven 185 ml (¾ cup) oil – grapemight take a bit longer.) seed, vegetable, ricebran or Leave it to cool in the tin other neutral flavoured oil for ten minutes then gently 2 eggs remove it from the tin to cool 250 ml (1 cup) coffee, cooled on a cake rack. 250 ml (1 cup) milk I do this by running a knife 300 g (2 cups) plain flour around the edge of the tin, 125 g (1 cup) cocoa putting a plate over the top 1 teaspoon salt of the cake, turning the cake 1 teaspoon baking powder out upside down on the plate 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of then putting a cake rack on soda (baking soda) the bottom of the cake and turning it the right way up. Chocolate cream For the chocolate cream, 2 tablespoons butter, softened beat all the ingredients to310 g (2½ cups) icing sugar gether well and use approx60 g (½ cup) cocoa imately a third of the mix to sandwich the cakes together, Method and the remainder to ice the Preheat the oven to 165°C top of the cake. (325°F). Grease and line two Awesome. 20 cm round cake tins. Mix together the sugar, oil, eggs, coffee and milk. Sift together the flour, co-

“But the modelling is telling us in 10 years, on a normal day, that intersection is going to reach capacity. “Because of the peaks in summer, we may want to bring this forward because those impacts are a reality now on the really busy weekends and in the summer peak,” says Mr Dowd. On the parking front, the KT&PS found that there are 1,441 public car parks in the study area. The changes suggested above would result in the loss of 42 car spaces (plus an extra 26 during the Summer Streets period). With overall parking occupancy at 61 per cent on Saturdays and 26 per cent on weekdays, the KT&PS says there is sufficient parking capacity to accommodate growth over the next 10+ years. The Study vindicates Mayor Mark Honey’s long held view that Kiama doesn’t have a parking problem, it has a walking problem. Its recommendations for parking are: • increase signage to direct drivers to underutilised parking • improve pedestrian conductivity from existing car parks • ensure future developments retain existing public access to carparking • introduce RV parking in Shoalhaven St • ensure sufficient onsite parking is provided in any new developments • introduce a levy on new developments to fund parking and transport infrastructure in the town centre. “No parking design caters for the worst case, which for us would be a very busy holiday period in the middle of summer,” says Mr Dowd. “No council will design parking to cater for everybody that would come to that zone then, as it’s totally cost prohibitive and we’d have multi-story car parks everywhere that for 99 per cent of the year were unoccupied.” Interestingly, the Study says that the proposed Kiama Arts Centre, with auditorium, would require 100 car spaces compared to the eight envisaged in its most recent design. The consultants also looked at traffic congestion around Kiama Public School and concluded it was due to illegal and poor driver behaviour, bus timetabling and student finishing times not being staggered. Suggestions for improvement were outside the scope of the study.

The KT&P Study will be on exhibition for submissions later this month at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

The Bugle

THE BUGLE CROSSWORD 1

8 9

44. Where the oil drains to in a car engine (not an electric engine) 45. South East Asia Treaty Organisation 46. Retiring Chancellor of Germany

LAST ISSUE'S SOLUTION M

DOWN

1. Indian rice that has the longest grain of any styles 18 19 20 2. Author of Origin of 21 22 23 24 Species 4. New security treaty with 25 Australia, United Kingdom 26 and United States 27 28 5. European and American defence organisation 29 30 7. Day = night in September 31 32 33 34 and March 8. Religious sister 35 36 9. Location of self-recording 37 38 tide gauge in Port Jackson 39 40 41 since 1867 (4,7) 12. Two people singing or 42 doing things together 43 44 14. Ancient counting frame 15. What you shouldn’t judge 45 by its cover 46 16. Improvised Explosive Device (1,1,1) ACROSS Shortest pregnancy of any 28. Last two words in name of 20. Tree style that does not 3. French president who is mammal at 12 days. spider with first name Daddy drop all its leaves in Autumn not returning Mr Morrison’s 17. Large rainwater container (4,4) 22. Power system in new phone calls 18. Largest city in Africa 29. Tottering Chinese property Australian submarines 6. Nickname of winners of AFL 19. Tennis score of forty all developer with 400 billion 23. Income stream that a grand final 21. Australia, New Zealand debt proportion of retired citizens 10. Toothed wheel, whose and United States security 31. Aust rock band who sang draw down teeth engage the links of a treaty “Am I ever going to see your 24. Capital of Ireland chain 25. A person exercising face again?” (3,6) 27. Type of tree that drops 11. How many ships did Helen government. King, dictator, 35. Name of Indo Pacific it leaves in Autumn and is of Troy’s face launch potentate. political grouping dormant 13. Association of South East 26. Instrument with a 38. Pointed fastener 28. Tennis serve that hits the Asian Nations magnetised pointer to 39. Type of screwdriver (8,4) net then falls in 15. Marsupial which digs Magnetic North and bearings 42. Rub out 30. If you are asleep it is said conical holes in your lawn. from it 43. To undo the stitching of you are in this land 17

T T

A R

T L

A C

B E

U A

L B

B E

A T

M E

S O

32. Outdoor clothes line made by Hills 33. Hexagonal driver of threaded fastener (5,3) 34. Plumbing pipe wrench brand name that is almost generic 36. Greek god who has the world on his shoulders 37. Description of the ‘science’ of Economics. Brought on by Malthus advice that population

P C

E E

E A

O R

N O R

T H

E U

E I

S N

A F

B T

T O

O O

T E

T S

S T

O I

A R

B H

T C

I N

T A

W I

C A

L W

S L

D S

U U

P H

L P

U S

A R

A I

R B

A R

E T

would grow faster than food. 40. Aust PM who set world record time skulling a yard of beer in 11 secs 41. Fourth letter of the Greek Alphabet and current variant of COVID-19 giving us a hard time Crossword compiled by Steve Law. Correspondence welcome to crossword@

Looking for Lockdown distractions?

Open 7 days

Call 4232 2684 and Collect from our door

Let Melissa and Peter use their 30 years' experience to guide you in your selection t

74 Terralong St, Kiama thebuglenewspaper.com.au

2 October 2021 | 15

Meet Emma

POSTCARD HOME

December 2019 seems like a lifetime ago. But that was the last time I saw my eldest son who lives in London. We met up in Auckland ahead of his wife’s family reunion and I had him all to myself for seven whole days. We talked non-stop for the first couple of days, then decided to see some local sights. One morning he said to me: “Today, we look at birds.” So, we headed out for the gannet colony in Muriwai’s Regional Park on the West Coast, just north of the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and only about 40 min-

utes from central Auckland. Despite being summer, the weather was overcast, the rain sometimes horizontal. I wasn’t quite prepared for the stunning rugged scenery along this wild coastline, with black sand beaches and adventurous wet-suited surfers. Otakamiro Point is at the southern end of Muriwai’s spectacular 60km coastline and is home to gannet (takapu) breeding colonies. Bird watching has never been so easy. We parked our car near the Point, took the Takapu Refuge Walk and within two minutes (despite

We recently advertised for an advertising dynamo and we are delighted to have found Emma Bushby. Originally from Wollongong, wind trying to keep us back!) metres. They live on these Emma moved to Kiama with were standing on the viewing cliffs because the wind her husband and daughter platform directly above the patterns aid take-offs and in 2020, to be closer to her main colony. landings. family. Only slightly below us was They breed here between They managed to escape a densely packed colony of August and March. After fledgling and adult gannets – that, young gannets fly off to the Northern Beaches lockdown, as they had lived in around 1,200 breeding pairs south-eastern Queensland – perched precariously on and Rottnest Island in West- Avalon, yet now have been separated from her Wollonthe edge of steep cliffs. They ern Australia. gong relatives since they were so close! They were so But a few years later, they went into lockdown. loud! They were so busy! return to Muriwai to start “Unfortunately, things havGannets are beautiful, their own families. Perrie Croshaw, Gerroa en’t worked out that way with predominantly white, but the different LGAs, but hopewith a buff-yellow head and fully that will all be behind us neck, a blueish grey bill and If you’d like to share your soon,” says Emma. blue around the eyes. Very travel story, send your “We really love living in elegant. postcard to: news@ Kiama, and we’re looking A full-grown gannet has thebuglenewspaper.com.au forward to sharing precious a wingspan of almost two

family time again soon!” Emma is taking on the advertising role from Steve (one of our proprietors), so he can step back and focus on other roles (and hopefully spend more time in the shed). With fifteen years in advertising sales behind her, Emma says she is excited by the opportunities The Bugle offers to local businesses. “The Bugle has such a great reputation and makes an enormous contribution by making the community better informed,” she says. “Because of this, it works really well for our advertisers. “I’m really impressed by The Bugle App as well, it really is a one stop shop for all your news and community updates!”

Creating beautiful Australian gardens

Visit the Area’s Newest Native Nursery & Gift Shop Located in Beautiful Misty Robertson Celebrating Australian Plants & Products See our onsite garden design studio in action Friendly and knowledgable staff Bush Cafe Open Thursday - Monday

So much more than a nursery... OPEN 7 DAYS

9am to 4pm

98 Hoddle Street, Robertson NSW 2577 02 - 4858 0368 @nativegracelandscapes www.nativegrace.com.au

16 | 2 October 2021

Bugle Ad 1/2021.indd 1

The Bugle 9/6/21 2:23 pm