The Bugle 30 May 2020
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
Year of challenge for new Gilmore MP When Fiona Phillips was elected the Member for Gilmore last May, the national spotlight was on her for bringing home the only Labor win across the country. In the normal course of events, a new MP’s first year is a steep learning curve, especially when the seat has been in the hands of another party for such a long time. It didn’t take long for the steep learning curve to become a roller coaster ride. By the end of 2019, Gilmore was again one of the epicentres of national attention in the bushfire emergency. Ironically, before the fires, one of Ms Phillips’ main focuses was fighting for more support for local farmers battling the big dry. “They couldn’t apply for the drought assistance loans, even though it was simple to see they were struggling with the drought,” she says.
“I chased and chased, and finally had a win on that many months later when they finally listened to how bad it was. “The severity of the bushfires proved our point in the worst possible way.” During the bushfires, she was on the ground every day, visiting staging areas and fire control centres. “I always focused on providing support and help where I could, bringing requested supplies ranging from gatorade to aeroguard,” she says. “You’ve got to support people through it, and that is the most
Given the circumstances in her electorate, Ms Phillips has delayed the formal announcement of Federal funding for a variety of community projects until now. She has recently announced the following Kiama organisations have been successful in receiving funding for their projects: ▪ $37,000 to the Kiama Show Society – awarded under the AgShow Program ▪ $3,500 for Landcare Illawarra – awarded under the Communities Environment Program ▪ $2,500 to Kiama Council for the microplastics survey – awarded under the Communities Environment Program ▪ $7,260 to Kiama Tennis Club – awarded under the Stronger Communities Programme ▪ $8,250 to Kiama Surf Club - awarded under the Stronger Communities Program. In addition, $72,397 was awarded to Kiama Meals on Wheels in April (see page 7), and $76,848 to Kiama Council under the Black Spot Program in March.
Get ready for Library Express p 3
New home sought for reverse vending in Gerringong p3 Cycling siblings look forward to local L’Etape p 3
Continued on p 12
Latest Federal funding
Inside this issue
Fiona Phillips with Committee members of the Kiama Tennis Club, Bob Morgan, David Graham and Ann Boulton. The Club received $7,260 to help with its court resurfacing.
Gerringong RSL Hall centenary preparations p 5
Council budgeting for $1 million deficit next year Kiama Council’s draft operational plan, on exhibition until 23 June, shows a budget deficit of $980,000 for the next financial year, after a COVID-19 related net loss for 2019/20 of just under $1.5 million. “If we hadn’t reduced our operating expenses in the last quarterly budget review by $1.5 million, our loss for
this financial year would have been about $3.4 million,” says Council’s General Manager, Kerry McMurray. To keep the deficit at this level, he has had to significantly cut the amount of new capital works proposed for the coming year. “We have $1.5 million of unfunded capital works that will potentially have to
be rolled over into the next financial year,” he says. The biggest item of these works are proposed road resealings. In contrast, money has been allocated for asset renewal, a strategy Mayor Mark Honey approves of as it will keep the standard of community assets up to
Double the demand for Kiama Meals on Wheels p7
Continued on p 4
Did you know...
Around 18,000 children and young people are in Out of Home Care in NSW. We need your help. 1300 000 WCF wcfoundation.org.au
Enquire about becoming a foster carer today.