The Bugle Feb 22 2017

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The Bugle 25 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

A tale of two towers Kiama Council is to formally complain to Optus and the Telecommunications Ombudsman about a mobile phone tower that is to be built above the Jones Beach shops in March (first reported in The Bugle last December). Unlike the other tower Optus intends to build in Kiama, at the sports ground in Haviland Place, the decision on whether to approve the Jones Beach tower was taken out of Council’s hands. Approval for the sports ground tower was achieved through a standard DA process which allowed Council to consider its suitability. However the Jones Beach tower was classified as a low impact facility under the provisions of the Federal Telecommunications Act, which has a set of standards relating to height, size and location which, if met, classify a facility as low impact and not requiring Development Consent. Despite the required public consultation showing many residents do not consider it low impact, given they overlook it, the project was approved. At the February Council Meeting, Councillor Kathy Rice said, “I don’t think Optus assessed this site thoroughly to begin with. They need to have regard for an area being a community sensitive location. “I feel the report sent to Council at the end of the consultation was quite misleading in that it claimed they had responded to the submissions from the community, particularly regarding view impact, by providing photo montages. I think these deliberately did not show the impact, but rather they showed contrived angles. They could have done better. “The community views weren’t represented properly in the report and we should certainly object to their report’s findings.” Councillor Mark Way agreed and voiced his frustrations. “They seemed to already have made their decision, and nothing was going to change it. We are hoping Ann Sudmalis will step in and take some action for the residents of Kiama Downs. Council has been circumvented and local people really didn’t have a say.”

Kiama Hospital farewell As foreshadowed in our last issue, Kiama Hospital is to have an Open Day to allow the community to visit the old hospital building one last time. The Open Day will be on Saturday 11 March, from 10-2pm. All are welcome to attend and share their memories.

This cross section shows the relative size of the tower to the existing building in the Jones Beach shopping strip.

Inside this issue Kiama supports marriage equality p3

Meet Kiama High’s new Principal p4

Need for a second entrance to Cedar Grv The clock is ticking for a solution to be found to provide a second entrance to Cedar Grove, given that Stage 2 of the development will soon be ready to be built upon. David Yates has suggested provide a second access road to Stage 2 through his adjoining western land, if it is rezoned residential. After feedback from Council staff on his original proposal, he has submitted another proposal to address concerns. “The previous Council was remiss to allow Stage 2 to go ahead without a second entrance,” said Councillor Neil Reilly at the Febru-

ary Council meeting. “We need to do something urgently,” said Councillor Warren Steel. “If this proposal does work, it will be at no cost to Council.” Not all councillors are supportive of the rezoning proposal.

“It is a Trojan Horse to get those houses over the hill,” says Councillor Andrew Sloan. Councillors Honey, Sloan, Way and Westoff voted against continuing discussions with Mr Yates on the proposal.

Indigenous med student has wider role to play p5

Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival marks its 30th year p6&7

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