The Bugle 20 May 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
New era for tourism in Kiama The Chair of the new Tourwith retail and wholesale ism Advisory Committee, travel, airline, leisure and Councillor Matt Brown, says corporate sectors. he is delighted with the cali- Robert Sciacchitano: Chair of Kiama Tourism bre of the people who nomisince 2017 and a board nated to join the new body. member of Shellharbour “All were worthy candiTourism between 2010 dates, however what we and 2014. He is the have with the five members owner/operator of La we have chosen is a balance Dolce Vita holiday of age, geography and the accommodation in Kiama industries they work in,” Kane Guglielmi: a film he says. and television director “Having the Committee with 12 years’ experiestablished is a big step toence, including directing wards this exciting new era advertising campaigns of tourism for the Kiama for Tourism Australia, Municipality.” Tourism NSW, Sony and The inaugural members McDonalds of the Committee are locals Liz Lewis: owner/manager with a wide variety of of Milk and Honey Café experience: Sue Thorley: more than at Blowhole Point and three decades’ experience member of Kiama Tourism
James Cook: Marketing Director for Jamberoo Action Park with 25 years’ experience in destination marketing, event organisation and brand management. He has also worked for Tourism Wollongong and the University of Wollongong. Councillor Brown is keen to harness the enthusiasm and experience of other people involved in the industry, including those who applied to be considered for the Committee. “I hope to hold brainstorming sessions at least four times a year to get everyone together. “Concern has been expressed by some operators that they didn't feel a part of
Council Fit for the Future p3
Wine Festival on Long Weekend p2
American tourists oblivious to the changes underway
the decision making process and the direction of marketing Kiama. I want to address that by having regular fully inclusive meetings open to everybody.”
Cedar Grove II: Access to be put to the test A motion by Councillor Warren Steel, which sought to encourage the efforts of an adjacent landholder to find a way to create a second entrance for Cedar Grove II, failed to pass at the May Council Meeting. The sticking point for many councillors is the solution being mooted, which still has a number of engineering challenges and would need RMS approval, would require the rezoning of land outside of the gazetted boundaries of the town (the Kiama Urban Strategy). While councillors disagree as to whether a second entrance is needed for the new hilltop estate, vocal local resident Mike Yalden is more convinced than ever that the single entrance is not sufficient. Now that the estate has been completed, and people are looking to build, he is concerned that the traffic figures do not take into account the amount of dual occupancy that will occur.
Inside this issue
“The estate is desperately in need of a second entry. If something happens everyone on the estate is going to be marooned,” he says. “Councillors will be personally responsible.”
Phil Costello, Council’s head of planning, said, “The engineering standards associated with the project were assessed and found to comply with all of the requirements.”
He says the first issue for the Committee to get involved with is choosing the new Manager Tourism & Events (or the Tourism Boss as he likes to call the position.) Applications close 28 May, and there has already been strong interest, not just by locals but by people wanting to move to the area. “We need somebody who is going to be a leader, not an administrator,” he says. “The Committee will be there to support and advise.” With the winding up of Kiama Tourism confirmed at an Extraordinary Meeting on 17 May, work can proceed to transition to the new Council-owned structure. This will include the purchase of intellectual property and other assets. “If we can generate new demand through events, we as locals will have better product offerings for ourselves,” he says. “I have a vision of a miniNoosa. Something that is alive and vibrant all the time.”
Red Cross Fun Run p4
Calling all Knights fans p 12
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