the bugle feb 10 2016
DESCRIPTION
The big news in Kiama still revolves around the threat of a merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. But behind that, our community continues on and there is plenty to read about.TRANSCRIPT
13 February 2016
A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of A fortnightly celebration of
people and places on the people and places on the people and places on the people and places on the
Upper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSWUpper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama,
Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs,
Minnamurra and Gerroa
and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Focus on the merger
p 6 and 7
Burnetts expand into
Mitre 10 vacuum p3
Kiama Sevens
almost here p 3
Lloyd Rees’ Legacy
needs your help p5
Concerns over
Manning St DA p8
Inside this issue
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The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Public Inquiry into the merger: community presents united front In years to come, locals will
still be talking about the day
the NSW Government made
concerned residents spend
three hours in a tent in a
carpark if they wanted to
express their views on its
proposed merger of Kiama
and Shoalhaven councils.
Prepared as an overflow
venue for the expected large
crowd at the Leagues Club,
a last minute decision was
made to shepherd everyone
into the temporary structure.
The poor ventilation, no
easily accessible toilets,
inadequate audiovisual
screens and need for water
to be handed out was rightly
seen as an insult.
The Mayor Brian Petschler
said as much, while making
it clear the Delegate was not
responsible for the arrange-
ments. He let everyone
know that Council had
offered The Pavilion as a
venue, and the offer was still
open.
The lack of amenity added
to the passion of the event,
where eighty-five people
had registered to speak.
Only 63 people reached
the microphone, where they
were given three minutes to
speak rather than the five
minutes many had prepared.
One of those too far down
the speaking order was
eighty seven year old Elaine
Pratt. “My mum has lived in
Kiama since the Fifties and
wanted to speak against the
merger,” says Geoff Pratt.
“She waited patiently in a
stinking hot tent, no cooling,
no toilets, no water, lots of
guards, for 3 hours. Then
had to leave without getting
the opportunity to speak.
I felt very sorry for her.”
The Bugle attended all
three sessions of the Inquiry,
two in Kiama and one in
Nowra. The other two ses-
sions were held inside clubs,
not outside, so lacked the
undercurrent of the first
meeting.
In all, over 120 people
spoke, and all of them were
against the merger. Two
people at the morning meet-
ing who were unable to
speak before time ran out
said they were for the
merger, but they did not take
the opportunity to be given
priority to speak at the
evening session.
Speakers approached the
ten points under considera-
tion by the Delegate, Greg
Wright, in different ways.
Many addressed Kiama’s
sense of community and
common interest, the lack of
Lions’ plan to provide holiday respite for carers Council has given the green light to the Lions
Clubs of Kiama, Minnamurra and Jamberoo to
renovate a disused house on Shoalhaven St as a
respite centre for carers.
Councillors unanimously approved the project,
offering the house at a peppercorn rent, saying they
were pleased a currently unused and deteriorating
Council owned property will become an asset to
the wider community.
The ambitious undertaking will turn the former
gasworks’ manager’s cottage into a spacious
holiday house with three bedrooms (complete with
ensuites), where carers can come to ‘recharge their
batteries’. There is room for parking and disabled
access out the back, and for a deck out the front.
A number of local businesses, tradesmen and
suppliers have already expressed an interest in
assisting Lions with the refurbishment, which
is expected to take a year to complete, including
negotiating the lease and lodging a DA.
The first stage will be to clear the ground sur-
rounding the house and make it watertight.
Carers Association of NSW is very enthusiastic
about the project, as there are very few respite cen-
tres available for their members.
“We just can’t wait to start,” says Ray Redgrave.
“The house has good bones, and just needs some
TLC. It is a project for the whole community to
become involved with.” Anyone wishing to help
should contact Peter Scifleet on 0414 973 388.
Local Lions Peter Scifleet and Ray Redgrave
discuss the extent of the renovations with
Lions District Governor Sally Wilton.
Continued on page 6
2
What’s on?
The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Editorial:Editorial:Editorial:Editorial:
Cathy Law
t 0412 415 101
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Steve Law
t 0428 662 499
Ian MacDonald
t 0422 736 582
Or email us at
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gmail.com
Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made
to ensure the accuracy of
the information
in this publication,
but we are only human.
4 Tingira Cres, Kiama 2533
Let us know if there’s an event you’re organising. Just email the details to [email protected] or phone 0412 415 101 Listings are free, and at the editor’s discretion
Every Wednesday Kiama Farmers’ Market
Kiama Harbour 3-6pm
On weekends Live music at The Sebel,
Kiama Leagues Club,
The Mecure, Jamberoo
Pub and other venues.
12 February Summer Outdoor Movie:
Red Dog
Hindmarsh Park,
8 for 8.30pm, free
CMRI Movie Fundraiser
Screening of Brooklyn,
Greater Union Shellhar-
bour, 6.30 for 7pm. For
$20 tickets call Belinda
0421 349 505/4234 0224
14 February Kiama & District Histor-
ical Society Meeting
Christ Church, Kiama,
2pm. Keith Smith on the
history of the church.
20 February Gerringong Village
Markets
In and around Gerringong
Town Hall
20 February Outdoor Movie: Minions
Reid Park, Jamberoo,
from 8pm
19 February Movie at Library
(see below)
21 February Kiama Seaside Market
Kiama Harbour, 9-3pm
Chamber Philharmonia
Cologne Christ Church,
1 Terralong St, Kiama
25 February Business Information
Expo, The Pavilion
Kiama, 5.30-7.30pm
26 February The Green Day Out
Fundraiser golf day for
Gerringong Golf Club and
the Childrens’ Medical
Research Institute
Enquiries to Daryl Hobbs,
0417 471 800
27 February Kiama Rugby Sevens
(see p3)
28 February Last chance to make
a submission over the
proposed amalgamation
(see p7)
5 March Friends of Kiama
Library Talk (see below)
11-13 March
Jazz & Blues Festival
(see right)
11 March Australian Haydn
Ensemble with
Sara Macliver (see below)
To market, to market..
to buy seeds and plants.. Burnetts On Barney,
your local Landscape
and Garden Centre,
brings healthy veggie
seedlings, heirloom
seeds, organic gardening
additives and loads of
flowering colour to the
Kiama Farmers’ Market.
Visit us at our fortnightly stall at the
Kiama Farmers’ Market on Weds 17 February
Or drop into at 80 Barney St, Kiama t 4233 1322
Open 7.30-4.30 Mon-Fri 7-4 Saturdays
SHOP ONLINE
for regional and
local food
Greenbox is a non-profit, regional food co-op
based in Gerringong, run by a team of
passionate volunteers
www.greenbox.org.au
Order online every week
from 10am Fri to 7pm Mon for collection or delivery
Thurs from 2.30 to 6pm
AGM invite The Annual General
Meeting for Gerringong
Music Club will feature
entertainment from
keen violinist and local
MP Gareth Ward.
Most committee posi-
tions are spoken for but
the Club is always keen
to welcome new mem-
bers. Afternoon tea will
be provided.
Details: Sunday 21 Feb,
2pm in the Gerringong
Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Enquiries to Gillian
4237 8331 or 0422 543 928
Jazz & Blues Festival bigger than ever The 29th Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival is set to be
the biggest yet, with almost 80 free gigs on over
the three days, at over 30 local venues.
This year’s festival performers include acoustic
guitar virtuoso Michael Fix teaming up with his per-
cussionist son Adrian, to take his classic guitar rep-
ertoire in exhilarating new directions.
Also headlining is Doug Williams & the Mix, a five
piece hot funk soul and blues band set to turn the
Leagues Club into boogie wonderland, plus blues
legends Wards Express, along with the slick young
sound of Blue Eyes Cry (below).
For the jazz purists you can’t ask for more than
Balmain pub veterans Unity Hall Jazz Band.
Other acts include Paul Winn Band, Chris Harland
Blues Band, Tommy M and the Mastersounds, Pearl
Noire, Alex Hahn and the Blue Riders, Milena
Barrett, Stormcellar, Dr Don’s Double Dose, Lionel
Robinson, Paul Robert Burton & Andrew Toner,
James Vann, Frank Sultana, Out of Abingdon and
many more.
Details: 11-13 March, free at various locations around
town. Bookings may be needed at some venues.
Full program at www.kiamajazz.com
Baroque in Berry The Australian Haydn Ensemble is
visiting Berry with Aria award-winning
Sara Macliver, one of Australia’s
favourite and acclaimed sopranos.
An expert in baroque performance,
her pure and elegant style is ideal for
the works of Mozart and Boccherini.
Bocherinni’s work is characterised
by astounding optimism, colour and
warmth flavoured with Spanish folk
music.
Mozart’s operas are amongst his most loved works.
Sara will sing selections from The Magic Flute and Don
Giovanni, accompanied by a chamber ensemble of flute
and strings.
Details: Friday 11 March, 7pm, Berry Uniting Church Hall
Tickets $50 ($40 conc) from australianhaydn.com.au,
1800 334 388 or try your luck at the door.
Bushrangers in art & song Aileen Harland will be
the guest speaker of the
Friends of Kiama Library
in March.
Her talk will be on the
history of bushrangers,
with a focus on their depic-
tion through art and song,
including Tom Roberts’
iconic Bailed Up in the
current National Gallery
exhibition in Canberra.
Details: Saturday 5 March,
2.30pm,
Kiama Library Auditorium.
$5 members, $8 others.
Movies at the Library At the risk of
sounding Secret
Squirrel-like,
do you find it
difficult to get
into Shellharbour
or Nowra to watch
the latest movies?
Kiama Library will be holding monthly screenings
of recently released movies on Friday afternoons
from 3pm. If you are interested please take note of
the following dates: 19 February and 13 March.
Due to licensing restrictions, numbers are strictly
limited to 30, and they are also unable to advertise
the title of the movies. However staff can certainly
tell you details when you make a booking.
Sounds intriguing. Book soon.
3
Kerry McMurray took over
as Kiama Council’s new
Director of Finance,
Corporate and Commercial
Services at Kiama Council
in late January.
Kerry was formerly the
Acting General Manager
of Murrumbidgee Shire
Council and prior to that the
Group Manager Corporate
Strategy and Finance at Queanbeyan City Council, as well
as General Manager at Yass Valley Council.
He accepted the role the day before Kiama Council was
announced as a merger candidate, and says that his experi-
ence tells him the Council is in much better shape than
many others.
In his new role he is responsible for a wide and varied
portfolio of Council functions and business operations,
including finance, customer service, records, human
resources, IT, economic development, tourism, business
process analysis, Kiama Coast Holiday Parks, Kiama
Leisure Centre and The Pavilion Kiama.
Meet the new Chris Quigley $10,000 for Illawarra RDA Illawarra Riding for the
Disabled Association,
based at Jerrara, has re-
ceived $10,000 from the
NSW Government to help
upgrade their facilities.
“I was very pleased to be
able to secure this $10,000
funding which will go to-
wards replacing the roof on
their recreation shed which
houses the lawn mowers
and tractors,” says Gareth
Ward MP. He also pre-
sented a desktop computer
to provide as an additional
office resource.
“Illawarra Riding for the
Disabled does a really fan-
tastic job providing recrea-
tion and support for people
with a disability,” he says.
Kiama’s landscape supplier
and nursery, Burnetts On
Barney, is preparing to
expand into trade and DIY
lines now that Mitre 10 is
preparing to close its doors.
Despite being hamstrung
by rules associated with the
proposed amalgamation that
allow only short-term lease
extensions, Council moved
unanimously to extend
Burnett’s lease on the old
quarry site in Barney Street
for another three years.
A longer term lease is
expected to be considered
once the amalgamation issue
has been finalised.
The locally-owned and
operated business will now
take over the front section
of the site currently used as
a Council storage area,
allowing room to renovate
and stock new product lines,
including building materials.
“Mitre 10 has been an
iconic Kiama business for a
long time and their closure
will leave a big gap when it
comes to trade and home
owners buying building and
landscape products in
Kiama,” Burnetts On
Barney owner Elizabeth
Burnett says.
“Customers as well as
other local businesses will
all suffer if the only alterna-
tive is to leave town for
these products.
“There is a strong ‘buy
local’ sentiment around here
and it is up to local business
to try to fill the need so peo-
ple aren’t forced to go out of
town.”
The Mitre 10 site was pur-
chased by Kiama Council
when the Simmons family
put it up for sale last year.
Council sees it as a key
strategic site in the town
centre’s future development,
giving access to Akuna and
Collins streets.
Andrew and Elizabeth
Burnett of Jamberoo have
leased the Barney Street
quarry site for the past three
and a half years, operating
their established tree care
business Burnett Trees and
more recently establishing a
landscape and nursery cen-
tre, Burnetts On Barney.
The businesses currently
employ 15 local staff and
they expect to fill two more
positions this month specifi-
cally for the hardware-
related business.
“It won’t all happen over-
night but now that we have
Council approval we will be
able to stock some of the
most often used lines in
landscape and building re-
lated hardware and other
product lines as customer
demand determines,” says
Elizabeth.
“There are plenty of every
day landscape hardware
products which we haven’t
carried to-date because
Mitre 10 has met that
demand. Then there are the
odd things like key-cutting,
pool supplies and fly-screen
mesh, which would be a
pain to have to travel all the
way to Shellharbour to buy.
“Since we opened the
nursery a year ago we have
been encouraged by local
support and people are again
telling us they want to shop
locally and don’t want to
leave town for their land-
scape and building hard-
ware.
“The good thing is there’s
never a problem finding a
car park at our site in
Barney Street so they won’t
need to drive around the
block twice and we can
load product straight into
customer vehicles which
will save them time and
money.”
The initiative is warmly
supported by the Economic
Development Committee.
Council will soon be
actively seeking a new com-
mercial tenant for the Mitre
10 site, as it will be some
time before it is ready for
redevelopment.
Burnetts expanding into vacuum left by Mitre 10
The presence of the new Australian
Sevens coach, Andy Friend, at the
44th annual Kiama Sevens is sure to
produce some stellar performances
as players vie for his attention.
“Tournaments such as the Kiama
Sevens are critical as we seek to
unearth the next generation of Rugby
Sevens talent in pursuit of future
Olympic gold,” says Australian Rugby
Union CEO, Bill Pulvers.
Coming a long way from its early
origins, the 2016 tournament will see
40 high quality teams competing for a
range of trophies including the Kiama
Sevens Cup, the Women’s Vase, Coun-
try Cup and the Bowl Competition.
Teams representing the cream of
Sydney first division sides will compete
against Sydney subdistricts, NSW Coun-
try, the ACT and Queensland. Kiama
Sevens is a partner tournament to the
HSBC Sydney 7's that was played on
the weekend, only much bigger and
with more prize money (a total value
of $25,000). It has long been Austra-
lia’s premier one day Sevens tourna-
ment.
Sydney Shute sides attending are
Parramatta, Gordon, Warringah,
Southern Districts and defending
champions Manly.
Continuing with tradition, HMAS
Albatross, Squadron 723, will be heli-
coptering in the trophies around 3pm
(weather dependant).
Details: Saturday 27 February, Kiama
Showground. $10 entry. Games from
8.30am, with finals from 5.15pm.
Kiama Sevens attracts the best
4
New blood for Economic Development Committee Tass Schmidt, Michael Hatfield and Geoff Pratt are the
new members of Council’s Economic Development
Committee, volunteering their expertise to the body.
They join on-going community members (Sandy
Rendel, Stephen Thomas and Andrew Waugh), council-
lors and staff, and nominees from Kiama Tourism and
the Kiama Business Chamber on the Committee.
Tass has more than 25 years’ experience in corporate
roles in telecommunications and retail finance marketing.
She has worked closely with government departments
and major advertising agencies both in Australia and in-
ternationally, before moving into her own entrepreneurial
projects. She has been general manager at Jamberoo
Valley Farm since 2012, and is a founding committee
member of the Kiama Farmers’ Market Inc.
Michael is studied law at the University of Wollongong
and became a partner at Kells in 2007. Michael now
owns a small business employing 60 people, specializing
in small business law and commercial law. He has lived
in Kiama for eight years.
Born and raised in Kiama, Geoff retired from his
management role with Department of Education in
Sydney in 2015 to return to the family home in Kiama.
Gerringong School of Arts: keeping the history alive Janelle Lumsden was just a Brownie in 1954 when the
old Gerringong School of Arts was officially reopened
as the Gerringong Scout and Guide Hall. She remembers
the occasion well, because
she saw her father, builder
Wal Lumsden, walk up the
front steps, dressed in a suit,
to receive a Certificate of
Appreciation from the Scout
Commissioner for the work
he’d done renovating the
building.
So she was delighted to
be invited to the launch of a
new history of Gerringong
School of Arts which was
held in Gerringong Museum recently.
Tony Butz, a member of Gerringong and District His-
torical Society, has worked tirelessly with others to pro-
duce a new publication which follows on from the late
Clive Emery’s earlier booklet on the School of Arts.
That publication celebrated the centenary, 1883-1983,
and this booklet seeks to provide more narrative and con-
tinue the story. The project was supported by Arts NSW’s
Cultural Grant program in conjunction with the Royal
Australian Historical Society.
At the launch President Helen McDermott introduced
Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy, who spoke of the im-
portant role the School of Arts had played in Gerringong’s
community and social life over many years.
Others present were able to recall events which had
taken place in the building. Margaret Lumsden, Janelle’s
cousin, remembered her mother talking about roller skat-
ing and euchre nights, balls and dances, and telling her
that her father, Bruce, often played the piano and acted as
MC for social functions. It is this social history that the
book seeks to record.
Kiama Council is seeking Federal regional funding for
an upgrade of the building to provide a combined library,
museum and community hub for Gerringong, but as yet its
efforts have not been successful despite election pledges.
Members of the Society hope this plan will not be jeop-
ardised by the proposed merger of Kiama Council with
Shoalhaven Council.
Details: Copies of the Booklet are available at
Gerringong Museum for a small price.
The Museum is behind the School of Arts
in Blackwood Street, and is open
Saturdays and Sundays between 1 and 4 pm.
Plans to redevelop the
Kiama Hospital site into a
Blue Haven Centre of Aged
Care Excellence have re-
ceived formal approval by
the Southern Joint Regional
Planning Panel (JRPP)
after minor modifications
to improve privacy.
Council is now looking for
an external project manager
and an architect to progress
the $73 million project to
the construction stage.
“The appointed architect
will prepare detailed draw-
ings required for a construc-
tion certificate, and Council
is planning to commence
construction later this year,”
said Clare Rogers, Kiama
Council’s Director of
Community Services.
The first stage of the rede-
velopment includes the
demolition of existing build-
ings (except the heritage-
listed Barroul House) and
remediation of the site.
This stage will also in-
clude the development of
a 134 bed residential aged
care facility, 16 assisted
living units, a community
centre and community care
office, and the restoration
and adaptive reuse of Bar-
roul House.
The second stage of the
redevelopment will build 51
seniors’ living units.
The completion of the first
stage is anticipated by late
2018 with the units com-
pleted by the end of 2020.
The hospital site has been
subdivided, with the Illa-
warra Shoalhaven Local
Health District (ISLHD)
retaining a section of the
land to build a new commu-
nity health facility on the
site.
This site will continue to
provide outpatient services
for all of the community.
The DA for these facilities
has yet to be approved.
Completion of this project
will be necessary before the
hospital can be demolished.
Hospital redevelopment approved
5
Learner driver in the family? Learners and their
supervisors are
encouraged to take
advantage of a free
opportunity to
experience a series
of practical demon-
strations whilst gaining extra log book hours.
They will be taken on a planned route through a variety
of driving conditions, experience RBT/RDT, visit a Driver
Reviver station, meet a Fire Rescue team, hear road safety
personal experiences, understand crash investigation
methods and receive reverse parking tuition.
In addition to being given a road safety resource folder,
participants will go in the draw to win a fuel voucher.
Learner drivers must have a minimum of 40 log book
hours to participate.
Date: Sunday 20 March, 9-1.30pm, Lake Illawarra PCYC.
The morning is free (including driver reviver stop snacks
and Pizza for lunch on completion).
Bookings are essential as places are limited.
Contact Kiama Municipal Council’s Road Safety Officer
on 4232 0444 or [email protected]
Research into Gerringong flood plain $90,000 is to be spent on
a flood study of the Ooaree
Creek catchment area in
Gerringong and the Werri
Lagoon thanks to $60,000
in funding from the NSW
Floodplain Risk Manage-
ment Grants Scheme and
a top up from Council.
The catchment includes
more than 100 residential
and rural properties and the
area is prone to frequent
flooding.
Architect sought for new arts centre The initiative to create a central home for Kiama’s arts
community are edging forward, with Council calling for
expressions of interest from an architect to develop plans
for the new facility based in existing buildings.
In 2014 a report commissioned by the Council found
that both the Joyce Wheatley Community Centre and the
Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre would be suit-
able sites for a Kiama arts precinct.
The reconfiguration of the Joyce Wheatley Community
Centre and the Old Fire Station Community Arts Centre in
Hindmarsh Park will include gallery, workshop and per-
formance space.
The plans for the Old Fire Station will be staged to in-
corporate the adjacent ambulance cottage and station sites
when they become available for council use. Last year the
state government announced plans to invest about
$5 million to relocate and upgrade the ambulance station.
You should have gone to Melbourne In news sure to disappoint
many, the exhibition
Orry-Kelly: Dressing
Hollywood will not be
coming to NSW.
It had been hoped that
the exhibition would move
to either the Powerhouse
Museum or the Wollon-
gong Art Gallery once
its run was over at the
Centre for Moving Image
in Melbourne’s Federation
Square. The exhibition
attracted 70,000 visitors
during its time there.
It featured letters, clip-
pings, paintings, drawings,
his Oscars, archival footage
and photographs, as well as
some of the original spec-
tacular costumes, on loan
from prestigious archives
and private collections.
A chance comment by Lloyd Rees’ son
Alan has led to the rediscovery of a treasure
trove of paintings in a Kiama High store-
room.
They date back to 1962 when his father,
acknowledged as one of Australia’s finest
artists, was asked to organise a mural for
the School’s then new assembly hall. He
hand selected a group of his fifth year ar-
chitecture students for the project.
In the intervening time, the students have
forged reputations for themselves. For ex-
ample, Lawrence Nield was the 2012 Aus-
tralian Institute of Architects Gold Medal-
list and is a Professor of Architecture at the
University of Newcastle. He was founding
principal of Bligh Voller Nield where he
was responsible for many award winning
buildings including the Overseas Passenger
Terminal in Sydney, St Vincent’s Hospital,
the Olympic Tennis Centre, and Questacon
in Canberra; and headed up the master
planning team for the Sydney Olympic
Games, designing major venues in the Syd-
ney, Athens, Beijing and London Olympic
Games. His work is shown above.
The large landscape paintings (2m x
1.5m) need cleaning and TLC before they
can again take pride of place. The Lloyd
Rees Legacy Project is being led by Penny
Sadubin and Bobbie Miller from Gerrin-
gong and Andrea Hope from Kiama.
The work has already started, and $6000
needs to be raised for the restoration and re-
framing of the artworks. Over $1000 has
already been donated.
An exhibition of the restored paintings
will be held at the Old Fire Station Gallery,
Kiama from 10-15 May. Kiama Library
will then display the paintings for local
residents and visitors to enjoy, before they
are returned to the school library.
Details: You can donate via lloydreesle-
gacy.wordpress.com or contact the organ-
iser on [email protected]
to arrange a direct donation.
Donations sought to restore Lloyd Ree’s legacy to Kiama
6
The submission lodged by the
Friends of Kiama Library
raised many points of which
people might not be aware:
I am writing on behalf of the
Friends of Kiama Library to ex-
press our opposition to the NSW
Government's proposed amalga-
mation of the Kiama Municipal
Council with the Shoalhaven City
Council.
The Friends of the Library is a
long-standing community organi-
sation dedicated to providing fi-
nancial assistance and other forms
of support to benefit our Library
programs and services, while of-
fering monthly literary and other
general interest and cultural
speaker events for its members.
There are currently 198 paid-up
members, and we also welcome
numbers of visitors for our events.
There is no equivalent "friends
group" in the Shoalhaven.
In summary, we are concerned
because the merger with the Shoal-
haven Council will lead to reduc-
tion in the levels of service and
popular targeted programs that are
currently provided to Kiama Coun-
cil residents.
In the event of a merger, Kiama
Library would become a branch of
Shoalhaven Library. (The model
will follow branch library arrange-
ments adopted in larger Councils
such as Wollongong and Shellhar-
bour with staffing in branch librar-
ies primarily involved in service at
the counter, with resource alloca-
tion and programme development
and administration determined by
the central Library.) Our commu-
nity would lose professional staff
that develop programs and services
for local residents and who have
an understanding of our local area
and the community that lives here.
As an example of Shoalhaven
arrangements, the library in Ulla-
dulla, servicing a population of
approximately 15,000 is staffed by
a full-time branch librarian, 2 full-
time and 2 part-time customer ser-
vice officers providing counter
services. This staff also services
the town Tourism Centre (which in
Kiama always operates with at
least two staff!).
In contrast, the Kiama Library
service operates with a Manager
and two other full-time Librarians,
3 library officers working an
equivalent of 11 days a week, and
a Family History Officer, plus 4
part-time and casual Library assis-
tants.
The Kiama Library operates an
enviable range of programmes:
• distribution of baby kits (library
bag, board book, early literary
information) to each new-born
• an early literacy "lap sit" pro-
gramme for parents and carers
of babies
• weekly storytime sessions
for young children at Kiama
Library, and monthly sessions
at Gerringong Library
• school holiday programmes
including craft, computer and
Lego activities
• monthly movies both for
children and adults
• HSC study events for Year 12
students and a quiet study time
outside Library hours just
before exams
• an annual photography competi-
tion
• information sessions throughout
the year on legal, drug and
mental health issues
• a home delivery service with
individually selected items for
customers with disabilities and
the frail aged
• a highly regarded Family
History Centre providing resi-
dents with family, social and
local history information and
assistance.
As a Digital Hub for the National
Broadband Network project the
Library also delivered 993
one-to-one training sessions and
236 group training sessions.
The evaluation indicated that
substantial improvement resulted
in skills in engaging online, espe-
cially important for job-seekers as
well as older residents.
Kiama Council has DA approved
plans to building a centre in
Gerringong to replace a current
one-day-a-week Library service,
to provide expanded Library and
other community services to a
growing Council area with limited
transport links with Kiama.
The disparity between the levels
of funding and services between
the the existing Councils is clear.
For example latest figures avail-
able, for 2013/14, show annual
library services expenditure per
capita for Kiama of $61 compared
to $35 in Shoalhaven (and a NSW
average of $51); and the propor-
tion of the population who are
registered Library members is 80%
in Kiama compared to 39% in
Shoalhaven.
These distinctions are indicative
of clear differentiation in the
community of interest in the two
Council areas. A merger with
Shoalhaven Council will result in
a reduction in Kiama's current
quality Library services to a lower
common denominator.
Steve Spooner, Secretary,
Friends of Kiama Library
common interest with Shoalhaven
communities, the contribution that
Council makes to the everyday life
of the community, the value they
placed on having access to their
councillors, the initiatives in place to
share decision-making and contrib-
ute to planning, and more.
Peter Moggs, a local government
planning lawyer with an investment
property in Vincentia, said
“Shoalhaven Council is already too
big and to make it bigger would be a
disaster.”
John Jennings, who has worked as
an engineer for Shoalhaven Council,
explained that the distances that
needed to be travelled to do work
severely cut into the productivity of
council staff. “You cannot ignore the
diseconomies of scale that will come
from the merged entity,” he said.
Chris Forbes decried the “diluted
democracy” that would result from a
merger.
Many raised concerns about the
fate of Blue Haven Care under a
merged structure, given Shoal-
haven’s lack of expertise in that area.
In Nowra, the focus was largely on
the proposal’s silence on the issue of
Shoalhaven Water and the implica-
tions of the rate freeze that would
accompany any merger. Their Coun-
cil is proposing a 20% rate increase
over the next two years. “Mergers do
not fix the financial challenges,” said
Shoalhaven General Manager Russ
Pugg. He said the rate freeze would
ensure the merged council was unfit
for the future.
Long term councillor and former
mayor Greg Watson said “The full
cost of te transition has not been
factored in.”
Taking a different approach, a for-
mer policewoman from England
turned Kiama resident said that the
CCTV operating procedures operat-
ing in Kiama would not translate to
the new structure, if Kiama was no
longer part of the Illawarra Com-
mand. Response times would be se-
verely compromised.
Emeritis Mayor Sandra McCarthy
said “Kiama Council has already
achieved what the state government
is trying to achieve with its reforms.”
Others, experts in their fields,
warned against differences as diverse
as tree policies and the approach to
providing youth services. It seems
that Kiama is home to many people
who have had senior roles in the
public service, town planning and
urban design, and they all had im-
pressive points to make.
Near the end of the last session,
artist Becky Guggisberg suggested to
the Delegate that he probably wants
to move here, seeing he had heard so
much what a special place Kiama is.
Public Inquiry continued from page 1
Friends of the Library oppose the merger
7
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requires Casual Drivers
across all departments.
Taxi Drivers, Hire Car
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Applicants with a driver’s
authority preferred, with
immediate start consid-
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will need to obtain this
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Applicants must be able
to work some weekends
and some night shifts as
required. Local applicants
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Every Wednesday
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Frustration at flawed process Council’s General Manager
Michael Forsyth openly
admits that he is frustrated
with the flaws and incon-
sistencies in the Govern-
ment’s approach to local
government reform, that
unexpectedly resulted in
Kiama facing a merger.
“There has been a lack of
attention in the whole proc-
ess, leading to flaws and
inconsistencies,” he says.
“We've always been
sustainable, and we are a
lot fitter than a lot of other
councils who passed the
test.
“Inconsistent application
of depreciation around
the state has had a major
impact on those financial
indicators.
“The Morrison Low
work that we have done
has shown that we were
over conservative in our
depreciation figures and
we have been penalised for
that. There are other coun-
cils that are going to be
found out in years to come
and are going to have real
problems because they
have underestimated their
depreciation.
“Similarly other councils
are proposing major rate
rises to pass the test.
Wingecarribee, next door
to us, is raising their rates
by 40% over the next two
years. Going through the
IPART report, it is interest-
ing how many councils
have got 30-40% rate rises
proposed to get them fit for
the future. Ours rise is
much lower and in a couple
of years hence, because we
wanted to get extra effi-
ciencies in place instead.
Yet we have been penal-
ised for that.
“The whole process just
seems absurd. From the
results of various reports,
saying there was no need
for us to amalgamate, to
the 180 degree backflip
saying we have to merge.
“We are one of those
councils caught up in the
inconsistent decision mak-
ing by the Government.”
He regrets the time that
has been taken up by the
process, which could have
been spent more produc-
tively for the community.
Tellingly, the proposed
merged entity would only
meet three of the seven Fit
for the Future criteria.
Kiama’s situation is gaining attention in Macquarie St, bringing opposition poli-
ticians down to have their say. Labor leader Luke Foley visited Kiama recently
to meet with the Mayor and members of Keep Kiama Council Independent.
He was also treated to a stirring rendition of We Shall Not Be Merged (above).
Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge is coming to
town next week.
News just in: A protest trip up to Parliament House planned for 16 February
has been cancelled, with the focus now firmly on getting as many people as
possible to present written submissions before the 28 February deadline.
Kiama’s anti-merger push attracting attention
In his presentation to the Delegate, Gareth
Ward, MP for Kiama, made the argument
that the burden of proof as to whether the
proposal should proceed should rest with
the NSW Government.
“There is no doubt that the Government
has attempted to address this [the financial
advantages and disadvantages] criteria in its
merger proposal public document,” he said.
“There are however another nine criteria on
which the Government has been virtually
silent. If the community is required to re-
spond to the ten heads of consideration,
why isn’t the Government?
He continued, “A case which completely
ignores nine of the ten criteria required to
be considered by the Boundaries Commis-
sion is strategically, factually and com-
pletely deficient... the onus is clearly on the
Government to prove its case, and the role
of the delegate and the Boundaries Com-
mission is to assess all ten aspects of this
case on the basis of available evidence.”
With respect to the published merger pro-
posal from the Government, Mr Ward said
“It’s interesting to note that this evidence
has already once been withdrawn, amended
and updated without any notification to the
public or me as the local MP. If the Gov-
ernment doesn’t have confidence in its own
facts and contentions, how can the public
have any confidence in the claims con-
tained therein? Will there be more changes,
more amendments, new questions, new
facts? Or is this really the final draft?”
He went on to say that the Government
had erred in providing procedural fairness
and natural justice with respect to Kiama
Council and its finances and called for a
plebiscite to be held.
Strong words from Gareth Ward
Last chance to have your say You have until 5pm on 28 February to lodge your
submission to the Delegate. Submissions to the Council
Boundary Review should be typed and can be in the form
of a letter, a short document or a longer paper. They can
include appendices and supporting documentation.
Your submission should refer directly to the Kiama/
Shoalhaven merger proposal and focus on the areas that
the Delegate will be considering, previously listed in
The Bugle and available online at the address below.
Lodge your submission online at
www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or post to
Council Boundary Review, GPO Box 5341 Sydney 2001
A decision by the Minister is expected by the end of the
financial year.
8
Applications open for cultural grants The summer funding
round of Kiama
Council’s Cultural
Grants will close on
Friday 26 February.
Cultural Grants of up
to $3000 per application
are available to local
artists for artistic en-
deavours that expand
the range of arts pro-
jects within the Kiama
Local Government Area.
Youth Arts Scholar-
ships of up $1000 are
available to young peo-
ple aged between 12
and 21.
Some previously suc-
cessful projects include
the Kiama Arts Trail,
the Kiama High School
Band Tour to Tasmania,
the Kingsford Smith 80th
Anniversary Community
Celebrations and the
community concert
celebrating the 25th
Anniversary of the
Probus Men’s Choir.
Find full details on
www.kiama.nsw.gov.au
Rock musical for Roo Roo Theatre’s latest production is 13 - The Musical,
a show about fitting, and more importantly standing out.
It follows Evan Goldman, who is plucked from his fast
paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a
sleepy Indiana town following his parents’ divorce. Sur-
rounded by an array of simpleminded middle school stu-
dents, he needs to establish his place in the popularity
pecking order. Can he situate himself on a comfortable
link of the food chain or will he dangle at the end with the
outcasts?
The show marks the directorial debut of Hannah Garbo,
who has been involved with theatre for as long as she can
remember. After working on stage and behind the scenes
in numerous shows, Hannah has loved every challenge
this production has thrown at her.
The owner of the Telstra site
in Manning St, between the
Westpac building and the
former CBC bank chambers,
has lodged a DA with Coun-
cil to build a shop and five
units, at an estimated cost of
$2.5 million.
Kiama locals Robynne and
Greg Mills, who are both
experts in heritage conserva-
tion management and town
planning are encouraging all
groups and individuals with
an interest in the conserva-
tion and preservation of
Kiama’s heritage streetscape
to view the proposed devel-
opment plans and make sub-
missions by the deadline of
17 February.
“We believe that because
of the high heritage signifi-
cance of this section of Man-
ning St (Terralong St to Bong Bong St),
it is vital that in its assessment of the DA
Council reviews the appropriateness of the
proposed development within its heritage
setting and its potential to impact upon the
heritage significance of the whole Manning
Street Heritage Area,” says Robynne.
“Prior to accepting a Heritage Impact As-
sessment from the developer for this DA,
Council should commit to the preparation of
a Heritage Management Plan for the area.
This document would identify the heritage
significance of the area which could be im-
pacted by the development.”
These include the ANZ Bank, stables, rear
garden and fences; the old Council Cham-
bers and pine tree at rear; the Grand Hotel;
the Post Office, grounds and pine trees; and
the Uniting Church, front lawn and pine
trees.
Late last year, the Economic Development
Committee signalled its intention to hold a
design competition protect the heritage of
this area. Details of the competition brief
are still to be released.
Experts concerned over Manning Street DA
The site in question, and some of the lodged plans
Details: Various dates and times from 5-13 February.
See www.roo-theatre.com.au for details
or call 4297 2891. Tickets $25 Adults; $20 Concession
9
Electricians Murray Connerty: Air conditioning and refriger-
ation specialist. t 0408 420 655
Appliance repairs CVC Appliances: Repairs to washing machines,
stoves, dishwashers, dryers etc. t 0401 294 810
Carpenters Straight & Level: Home renovation specialists.
Licensed builder. Contact Geoff on 0407 958 087
Horticultural services Burnett Trees: Kiama Municipality’s own tree
care service - skilled, insured professionals for all
tree care, pruning, removal, stump grinding and
mulching. t 4233 1311
Builders Burrell Builders: Cracked brickwork, underpin-
ning, insurance/structural repairs. All building
work. Ln3281c t 0419 378 000
Plumbers Kiama Plumbing & Drainage: Affordable, reliable
plumbing and gasfitting services. t 0405 654 035
Our listing of local businesses providing
trades & services is designed as a handy
reference for people wanting to get
work done by a local. At just $10/line,
it’s a great way to grow your business.
Contact Steve on 0428 662 499 or
Need work done? Use a local
The Bugle Crossword Across
1. Unplayable tennis serve
2. Where one sleeps
4. Mountain behing Kiama
9. Hume & ------ walked
overland to Port Phillip
11.Utensil in which the Eng-
lish have their weekly wash
12.Home of submarine
HMAS Otway on the Hume
Highway
13. Language most people
speak in Australia
16. A bookmaker gives
these
17. How many legs does a
tripod have?
19. Tub in which clothes
are washed
20 Dutch mild cheese
21. State flower of NSW
23. Evil. Left handed
24. Weight of truck without
load or fuel
25. The last month in the
year
26. Premier of NSW
28. Member of the Beat
Generation (1950s)
30. Loosing the plot. In
one's ------
33. Boiling point of water is
212 degrees ------------
35. Legal dissolution of
marriage
37. They want us to do this
with Shoalhaven Council
38. Modern term for extra-
galactic nebule. The Milky
Way is one of these
39. 36 inches
Down
1. Residue that remains
after a fire
3. Snakelike marine crea-
ture
5. Where one milks cows
6. American spelling for
work. Australian ----- Party.
7. Nature’s church in Kiama
8. Opposite to Nadir
10. Australia’s favourite
style of coffee
14. Town on the Shoalhaven
15. Name of Harbour Basin
at Black Beach
18. To surround with a
hedge
21. Ducks have ------ feet
22. Cools the coolant in
your engine
27. Sea cow
29. High ranking naval
officer
31. Terminus of the electric
train line in the Illawarra
32. NSW Opposition Leader
33. Canine tooth of of
carniverous animal 34. Male clothing in ancient
Rome
Last week’s solution
From the Editor: The Bugle would like to apologise for
the errors and omissions in our last crossword. We are
trying to break-in a new crossword compiler, and some-
how the wheels fell off last issue. We apologise for the
frustration it caused. Hopefully this issue is back to par.
10
Out & about
J.D.'s Haircare Proudly celebrating 25 years For the month of February we will be giving everyone
who has a perm or a colour a free treatment.
There will also be weekly specials, so keep an eye
on the blackboard out the front of salon
Rosebank Arcade, 122 Terralong St, Kiama
Open six days 4232 2845
Alice, Eamon and Alice were there to wave their flags Robert Spencer made his point
Shanti Pillai, Amber Wilson and Magdalena Pillai came to show
their support
Get noticed in
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means a great opportunity means a great opportunity means a great opportunity means a great opportunity
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effectively by sending a message to effectively by sending a message to effectively by sending a message to effectively by sending a message to
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call Steve 0428 662 499 call Steve 0428 662 499 call Steve 0428 662 499 call Steve 0428 662 499
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Now printing
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At the Concert for Kiama
Wendy Reilly with Jim and Jen Overend
At least a thousand people rallied against the
proposed merger at the Concert for Kiama held
on 31 January.
The crowd wisely sought refuge from the sun in
the shade around Hindmarsh Park while they were
entertained by local performers and listened
to a variety of speakers.
The protest song Keep Kiama Independent by
John Littrich and the Water Runners of Gerringong
(left) became an instant hit with the crowd.
Branching into multi-media reporting, The Bugle
filmed them performing the song on the day.
You can find it at facebook,com/TheBugleknows
Like our page while you are there to keep in touch.
Photos: David Finlay (apart from bottom left)
11
12
Postcard home If you’d like to share your travel
experiences, send your postcard home
Back row left two right- Jake Reay, Jamie Reay, Jett Preston,
Connor Hughs, Jake Jefferys
Front row Left to right- Darcy Bond (captain) Ethan Harvey and
Harrison Jones
Kiama Golf Club’s Junior Pennant Team have won their
first State Title. They played Avondale Golf Club at The
Ridge course at Sutherland, and won four matches to two.
“It was a tight round with two of our players going down
on the 19th and 20th holes. Darcy Bond hit a great driver
down the 19th hole and made an outstanding up and down
for birdie to win his match and take the win for Kiama
GC,” says coach Shaun O’Toole.
“This is the first time win for our Juniors, and we hope
to make it through to the final again this year.”
The Juniors have already played two matches in the
Illawarra pennant this year and have won both matches.
“You couldn't take the grins off their faces,” says
Shaun. Nor his, at a guess.
Junior golfers bring home state title Kreuzberg is one of the
more edgy and creative
districts of Berlin, noted
for its kebab shops and
punk bars, its graffiti and
retro shops.
This is where we decided
to base ourselves during
a week-long stay in Berlin
in late January, just across
the river from one of the
remaining stretches of
the Wall, now known as
the East Side Gallery, the
segment with the famous
image of Gorbochov and
Honecker kissing.
We found our apartment
on the internet and it's up
four flights of stairs, no
lift, above a trendy burger
restaurant. Despite the
rough exterior and chilly
foyer, the apartment was
decorated in a groovy way
and warmed to a sub-
tropical 26 degrees. When
we ask our German host/
landlord whether the
heating needs to be turned
off when we leave the
apartment, he looks at
us as though we are mad.
No need, he says.
The next morning we
awake to a beautiful sight.
Pulling back the curtains
we are greeted by a white
vista - snow has frosted
the branches of the street
trees and covered the
parked cars like protective
cotton covers. White ice is
crusting the railing edges
of the balconies opposite
like salted margarita
glasses. I cannot contain
my eagerness to get out
into it.
Just before we crossed
the bridge over the Spree
River, which has partially
frozen over in a jagged
jigsaw pattern, I spotted
these bikes, fallen over
haphazardly under their
load. It certainly wasn’t
a good day for cycling in
Berlin, but it was a great
day for walking the streets
of this fascinating city.
By the end of the week
the novelty of cold
weather had started to
wear off, as my shoes
were permanently damp
and too tight from the
thick socks and I had de-
veloped an aversion to my
heavy overcoat. The snow
was no longer so charming,
compacted to a slippery
brown surface on the
streets.
But even so, I really love
Berlin in the winter. It's a
lovely time to visit.
Cindy Lord