Golden Valley Rd to get own sewer
CBD earthworks commence
p3
p3
Clare Rogers retires
Great win for our Ali p5
Hamilton’s Kiama link p5
p13
6 MAR 2021
Residents unite to stop park sell-off Kiama Heights residents are making the most of a second opportunity to present a case against Council’s proposed reclassification of 85 Attunga Ave to operational, a step necessary for it to sell the block off. “There are only two parks in our whole suburb, and Council is looking to sell off one of them,” says Sue Singh of the newly formed Kiama Heights Residents Group (KHRG). “It isn’t right.” The block was first earmarked for sale by Council’s Long Term Finance Committee in 2017. “That would have been the time to engage with residents to see what they thought of the idea,” says Alan Woodward, another member of KHRG. Residents were granted a stay of execution when the final endorsement was deferred by the November Council Meeting for further consultation. The proposal had passed through the Gateway approval process necessary for the reclassification of the land, from community land to operational land in the Kiama Local Environment Plan (LEP). All that remained was for the councillors to endorse it.
Residents say they were unaware of the proposal being endorsed for the process of approving changes to the LEP (known as Gateway) back in March 2020. It was not until the public notification period of this Gateway process that many became aware of the plan, despite Council following its usual processes. Notification of the public hearing was mailed to close neighbours, and advertised through The Bugle and the Council website. “Only five neighbouring residents were notified directly, as if it was a DA rather than
something that affected all residents in the area,” says Janet Peters, the Secretary of KHRG. While 16 submissions and a petition were lodged on the proposal, no-one spoke against it at the public hearing, due to misunderstandings about the process. In the report to Council’s November Meeting seeking endorsement of the reclassification, staff advised councillors the site was not gazetted as a public reserve. Residents are confused by this, as Council’s Plan of Management for Parks lists
It has taken road closure signs along the route for the penny to finally drop about just how big, and disruptive to some people’s life for that day, L’Étape is going to be. On Saturday 20 March, at least 3000 cyclists are going to be starting their rides in Kiama’s Manning Street. For the cyclists’ safety, they will be travelling on closed roads, with the 136km Race back to Kiama via Fitzroy Falls, Robertson and Jamberoo. The others will be doing
the 80km ride, which goes up Berry Mountain, down to Bomaderry, along the river and back to Berry. Race organisers say the communication and consultation process was limited by COVID, but that the road closures have been approved by Transport for NSW and the three councils. The times given on the signs is when the ownership of the roads is being handed over to L’Étape for the event. The Race Director Florent Malézieux is encouraging
continued on page 6
L’Etape: coming ready or not
Phone: 42322757
21B Barney Street, KIAMA
people to get in touch with their feedback, after looking at the latest information on their website. “The traffic management plan for L’Étape is very complex, but it doesn’t cover everyone’s situation. “If anyone has a question that is not covered on the website, they are invited to send an email to info@ letapeaustralia.com.au “We have a team working eight hours a day looking into everyone’s enquiries so that we can come back to them
Fax: 4232 2676 ksmr@bigpond.com
After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
with solutions. “We are taking feedback on board and when possible and safe to do so we will amend the traffic management plan.” L’Étape is in the midst of a letterbox drop to the 17,500 households along the route. Jamberoo Mountain dairy farmer Stephen Downes is one who has got in touch already, concerned the ability of milk tankers to get to farms in the area. “It would be nice not to have found out about the closures on facebook,” he says.
“The problem is no-one thought to ask about farmers’ issues at the start. “I can’t fault the recent response of the organisers, but Council has given us zero consideration. “All we keep getting from them that it will be great for tourism, but there are businesses which will lose money that day. “Good luck if you had booked a wedding here.” For the latest details go to letapeaustralia.com/community
ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS