The Bugle 11 February 2017
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
Kiama Hospital: time to share memories While a date is yet to be set, Kiama Council has taken up the suggestion from local residents and is planning a community event to mark the end of an era at Kiama Hospital. The event will take place sometime after formal title for the hospital site is transferred to the Council. This is expected to happen by the end of this month. “We want as many people as possible to come along to mark the occasion of its closing,” says Julie Stokes, Secretary of the Kiama Hospital Auxiliary. “Many people have sentimental connections with the Hospital. They’ve had their children, been nursed back to health or have said goodbye to loved ones there. “We are keen to get as many people as possible along to have one last wander through the building before it is demolished to make way for the new aged care facility.” While the Hospital’s remaining beds were transferred to Shellharbour Hospital’s Kiama Ward (located at Shellharbour Private) mid last year, the other services offered in the building are in the process of being transferred to the new building, awkwardly named the Kiama Integrated Primary and Community Health Centre. The Centre will be fully operational and open to the public from 13 February, with a formal opening planned for mid-March. Services offered will include dental, primary health nursing, physiotherapy, diabetes, audiology, early childhood, podiatry, health promotion, aged care, immunisation clinics, specialist clinics, and violence, abuse and neglect services. Julie Stokes says the Auxiliary is interested in hearing from people who have photos or memorabilia of the Hospital, which was opened in 1930. “We would also love to have former staff attend the event to honour their contribution, so if anyone knows someone please get in touch with us.” It is hoped the event will be a fundraiser for the Auxiliary, which is dedicating its efforts towards supporting the new Kiama Ward. Details: Anyone with something they would like to share on the occasion, or who has contact details of former staff, is encouraged to get in touch with June Powell on 4233 1394
Inside this issue New Australian citizens p3
Good news on the Berry Bypass p5
Kiama Farmers’ Market turns three p6
Honey: We need a strategy for the future Mayor Mark Honey has used his attendance at the February meeting of the Minnamurra Progress Association to re-emphasise the major focus of his term as mayor. “A lot of time and effort of this Council is going to be devoted to long term planning - planning for the future of the municipality for our children and grandchildren,” he said. “We want to get it all under control so that we can understand what the place is going to look like in 2030
rather than just letting things happen ad hoc. “I am going to put a lot of emphasis on strategic planning for the whole municipality, but we will probably start with the Kiama CBD where there are traffic flow and parking problems that need to be addressed.” He also signalled out Gerringong as needing a new DCP. “It seems to be booming into almost another central coast type town with the amount of apartment development going on.” A DCP has already been
foreshadowed for Jamberoo. Another area of great strategic importance in the long term will be Bombo Quarry. “The site is currently owned by State Rail and Boral, and very soon we hope to sit down and have discussions with the landowners to start developing a strategic plan for the site when mining ceases. “It is 200 acres, the size of Kiama Downs, and represents an incredible potential for the future.” See p7 for the appointees to the new Planning Committee
Kiama Sevens ready to kick off p 12