THE BUGLE VIEW

It seems the hits just keep on coming in this cost-of-living crisis.

Last month, there was bad news on power bills.

The Australian Energy Regulator confirmed South Coast residents are set to pay 25 per cent more for electricity. That means local households are on the hook for another $594 a year, just to keep the lights on.

Last week, there was more bad news on mortgages.

cleaning products are down almost 16 per cent, and carpet cleaning products are down almost 11 per cent.

Put together, these numbers show people are really feeling the pinch.

You don’t need to be a PHD economist to see it’s getting harder and harder to come up with the cash to heat and eat, and keep a roof over your head.

Growing up in Armidale, she attended Armidale High School and the University of New England.

Ms Bullock’s reign as RBA will be closely monitored and it is heartening to know that the head honcho is cognisant of the needs of workers and families outside the big cities.

Centre.

The existing bus shelter will remain until the main construction works are underway.

Work started on 17 July and is expected to take around four weeks to complete.

The area will be fully fenced off during this time. Precautions have been taken to ensure safety and minimise the impact of the demolition to the community.

Council is still finalising the contracts for the upgrade of Hindmarsh Park and will update the community when there is further information.

by Donna Portland

Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra that only 60 per cent of the impacts of recent rate hikes since last May have flowed on through the economy. In other words, there’s plenty of sting in the rate rise tail.

This week, there was more bad news – this time on the cost of essentials.

Data from Coles – obtained by The Australian newspaper – shows shoppers are going without the things they need in a bid to save cash.

Sales of hand sanitiser and soap is down almost 30 per cent, handwash is down 7 per cent, “environmentally friendly”

Speaking of PHD economists, it’s been hard to miss the news this week about the departure of Reserve Bank Governor, Philip Lowe.

It’s fair to say Dr Lowe has divided opinion.

There’s no doubt his ill-fated prediction that interest rates were going nowhere until 2024 will go down as one of the all-time clangers. There’s also no doubt the fact he was the public face of twelve successive rate rises didn’t do him any favours.

While Dr Lowe’s successor, Michelle Bullock, is primarily making headlines as the first woman appointed to lead the Bank, The Bugle is more interested in her regional roots.

We all know that Kiama is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But in order to continue our prosperous trajectory, we also need to grow. Our infrastructure is under constant strain but our population is growing at a remarkable rate.

We need to build more houses, better roads and more investment.

The Bugle hopes that the right balance between addressing the economic uncertainty of the present day does not compromise investment and economic prosperity in the near future.

The fourth pillar of Kiama Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: “We are part of a connected and liveable community”.

Being part of a connected and liveable community means that the council aims to foster a sense of belonging and cohesion among you good folk, while ensuring that the community remains vibrant, sustainable, and enjoyable. One way we work to achieve this is through our council committees, which we have recently restructured.

I congratulate the successful applicants to council’s two newest committees: We have appointed the following four community members to the Sustainable Communities Committee: Michael Bowden, Liam Pettigrew, Narreda Grimley and Alan Smith. They will join Councillor Imogen Draisma and myself as the councillor representatives on this committee

The following four applicants were appointed to the Infrastructure and Liveability Committee: Roy Rogers, Tony Gilmour, Jennifer Wulff (nee Heath) and Dr Fiona Mackie.

They will join Councillor Mark Croxford and Councillor Stuart Larkins on the committee.

We are so grateful to the many community members who applied for the roles and I encourage their participation throughout the committee term as invited experts where appropriate.

Overall, community participation on a council committee can lead to more inclusive, effective, and people-centric decision-making processes, ultimately benefiting the community’s wellbeing and development.

This new structure will be well tested over the next 12 months. We don’t expect that it will be perfect, nothing really is, but we can learn from any mistakes along the way and make sure we don’t repeat them. I believe that if we have a positive mindset, we’re likely to see any littlehiccups as an opportunity to improve and add greater value to this innovative method of committees.

Beyond the next 12 months, I’ve been thinking about how we deliver on the goals outlined in the fourth pillar of our CSP, which is a long-term plan that outlines the vision, strategy, and priorities of your council in serving its community. That’s you!

I’ll break down the key elements of this strategic pillar:

A connected community: This focuses on building strong social connections among community members. It involves initiatives to promote community engagement, inclusivity, and participation in local events, projects, and decision-making processes. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and unity among us all.

A liveable community: This aspect emphasises creating an environment where people can lead fulfilling and comfortable lives. It includes various elements such as access to essential services, well-designed public spaces, recreational facilities, and infrastructure that supports a high quality of life. A liveable community is also one that is sustainable in the long term.

This involves efforts to protect and preserve the natural environment, promote eco-friendly practices, and ensure responsible urban planning and development that balances the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future.

Your council also focuses on fostering economic growth and social development within the community. I believe this includes support for local businesses, creating job opportunities, and addressing social issues to ensure a thriving and prosperous community.

Our goal may be a lofty one, but with your support we can continue creating a cohesive, inclusive, and sustainable community where all members of our LGA enjoy a high quality of life, social interaction, and access to services and amenities.

Don’t forget that I run an open door policy... Email or call ahead to book an appointment or just drop in. I’m always up for a chat if I’m around.

Mayor Neil Reilly