By Neil Reilly, former Mayor of Kiama During my term as Mayor of Kiama from 2021 to 2024, I found myself not only in the centre of civic life but at the heart of a difficult paradox - how to balance the will of the people with the reality of numbers.It’s no exaggeration to say that the town faced an existential financial crisis, largely the result of past decisions made with good intentions but poor foresight.Money, mostly borrowed, had been committed to a second aged care facility - a noble idea rooted in community values.However, it was modelled on cashflows from an older, established facility without accounting for fundamental differences in viability.Worse still, Council funds had not been clearly separated into restricted and unrestricted accounts. It became clear that the business model underpinning the expansion was flawed, and the financial governance even more so.The burden of repair fell to our council, and much of my time as Mayor was devoted to stabilising our finances.This often meant adopting a technocratic lens: placing evidence, financial discipline, and expert advice above short-term political popularity. It worked.The bleeding slowed. But the process raised a deeper question in me: is there a middle ground between technocracy, which saved us, and representative democracy, which got us into trouble?The answer, I believe, lies not in choosing between them, but in bridging them. Technocracy brings rigour and expertise. Democracy brings legitimacy and values.Both are essential, but when unbalanced, either can fail the community. In Kiama’s case, democracy without guardrails led to overreach.But pure technocracy, applied too coldly, risks disconnecting from the very people it seeks to help. So how do we govern wisely?We need democratic institutions that welcome expertise, not resent it. We need technical frameworks - like clear fund restrictions, mandatory risk reviews, and transparent reporting that support political decisions rather than replace them.We need leaders who tell the truth, even when it’s hard, and who respect the electorate enough to trust them with complexity.We also need better ways to involve people, not just through elections every few years, but through deliberative processes that bring citizens into the room before the decision is made.In a crisis, it’s tempting to retreat to technocracy for safety. But in the long run, democracy must prevail - not as sentiment, but as informed, shared responsibility.I’m proud of what we did in Kiama.We pulled the town back from the brink. But I’m also aware that the repair was only the beginning.Now, the challenge is to embed structures that prevent crisis, invite wisdom, and make the practice of democracy as strong as the principles it rests on.

An Open Letter to the Public of Kiama LGADear Residents,This year, the Anzac Day services in Jamberoo and Kiama were extremely well supported with terrific turnouts at all events. This letter is to publicly thank all those who attended the services and helped keep the flame of remembrance burning brightly.The Kiama-Jamberoo RSL sub-branch is a not-for-profit charitable organisation whose aim is to assist veterans in all manner of welfare and other support, andmaintain camaraderie among veterans who belong to the sub-branch and others in the community. To enable us do this, we rely heavily on donations from the public and this year that was reflected in the generosity of donations collected by the Kiama Lions Club who were present at the Dawn and Mainservices in Kiama on Anzac Day.But the services could not be held with the support of several organisations within the LGA. In particular I would like to thank Kiama Council, Jamberoo Rural Fire Service, Jamberoo Public School, Jamberoo Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Kiama High School, CWA Kiama Evening Branch, Kiama Farmers’Market, Kiama Leagues Club, NSW Police Illawarra Command, Vintage Car Club and Sing Australia. Several individuals must also be mentioned in Fr Roberts from Sts Peter and Paul, Steve Whitworth, bugler Warwick Sporne, piper Paul Wells, soloists Benn Gunn and Michelle Morunga, Adam Vaughan from Kiama Council and Brendon Comber who managed our sound systems.Without this support and the turnout from the people who attend the Anzac Day services, the commemorations would not be the enormously successful events that they are. To you all, a heartfelt thank you.Lest We ForgetRegards,Gary McKay, MC, OAMPresidentKiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-branch

Kiama Junior Football Club joined the nationwide celebration of Female Football Week in style last week with eight of its 12 female teams playing at home on Saturday.Female Football Week is a national initiative that celebrates the growth of women’s football at every level and recognises the vital role women play in developing the game on and off the field.Kiama JFC honoured its 12 all-girl teams, featuring 168 players and more than 60 female coaches, managers and volunteers.“We had eight teams playing at home on the Saturday,” says Kiama JFC’s female football advocate Ben Morgan. “There was a great atmosphere - we had a giant inflatable football jumping castle, a photo booth, giveaways, and face painting in club colours. It felt like a really special day.”Morgan said the club had enjoyed a huge increase in female participation, especially in recent years - a shift he credited in part to the Matildas’ success.“I’ve coached my daughter’s team since they were under-6s - they’re under-10s now,” he says The girls in action at Kiama Sporting Complex on Saturday. Source: Ben Morgan“Five years ago, Football South Coast didn’t offer a girls’ under-7s comp. We had to move up an age group just to play with other girls. That same age group now has around 30 teams. It’s unreal.”Morgan said he wanted to continue building on that momentum by creating inclusive and positive spaces that help girls feel confident and motivated to stay in the sport.“There’s still a big imbalance between boys and girls in football. We need to keep raising awareness and encouraging girls to get involved. Some girls thrive in mixed teams, but others can feel intimidated or go quiet when playing against boys. Having all-girls teams gives them a space to come out of their shell and really enjoy the game.”Importantly, Morgan believes Female Football Week is not only a celebration of players but of all women in football, including referees, coaches, administrators and volunteers.“Last year was the first time we really celebrated Female Football Week in a big way,” he says. “We want to keep building on that. It’s also about recognising the women working behind the scenes - the volunteers, committee members, and coaches - who help make it all possible.”As Kiama JFC continues to champion girls’ football, events like Female Football Week play a vital role in building momentum, boosting visibility, and creating a welcoming environment for the next generation of players. 

By Sally Beerworth I may be the only person who can claim that a chicken nugget has actually improved my health, because it was over lunch at the Werri Beach Fish & Chip Shop that I decided to move to Gerringong.In fairness, I had been contemplating “going coastal” for some years but had yet to find a town that would make interacting with Australia Post’s mail redirection team worth the headache.Living in Sydney meant being in a small (very overpriced) apartment that came with a view of the communal washing line.I had begun finding it increasingly hard to look my neighbour in the eye, knowing he had a penchant for The Incredible Hulk underpants.I also got far less pleasure than the woman upstairs everytime she picked up a bloke from the local pub.So, when I pulled the car off the Princes Highway in early December last year, I stumbled across a town I didn’t want to leave.If I could have, I would have had everything I owned shipped down the coast, there and then.Had it not been for fearing the wrath of my overindulged cat who was waiting at home for me, I would never have returned home to Sydney.I’m quite sure I’m not the only visitor to Gerringong, who has had this reaction, but for me it wasn’t just the view of the headland from the beach, or the artificial colours in my nuggets clouding my judgement.It was that while I was walking along the beach, three people, three complete strangers, had said, ‘hello’ as I walked past them.The only time I recall a stranger talking to me in Sydney, was when I walked down the street one day, wearing half a meat pie on my face.And, I’m fairly confident that the passerby in question was just checking whether or not I was OK not being unaccompanied by a carer.Days later, I rented a house in Gerringong, sight unseen.This is the only way I can explain to people why I was comfortable with the abundance of cream-coloured shag pile carpet in my new abode.Frankly, the poor decisions of the 1970s were, in my eyes, a small price to pay for a house that was only several hundred metres from my purveyor of nuggets.I gently pointed out to the real estate agent that it was indeed an oversight that the house’s close proximity to saturated fats was left out of the property’s marketing.She wasn’t the only participant in the conversation that walked away somewhat concerned.I spent much of our interaction trying to work out why she was inserting ‘Gezza’ into every second sentence.It wasn’t until I walked past the local pizza shop the following week, that I realised that this word, slash throat clearing sound, was the affectionate name given to the town by locals.This nickname is perhaps the only thing I would change about my new home - the air is fresher, the water’s cleaner, the pace is slower and the nuggets are life changing.

Opinion By Neville Fredericks, former Mayor of Kiama There is a better way to build. We do not spend our weekends strolling the cul-de-sacs of Campbelltown.We go to Berry or Braidwood.We are drawn to places with a town square, a traditional main street, and footpaths where people say hello.That tells me something. We know what good towns feel like, but somewhere along the line, we stopped building them. I have spent decades thinking about why.The answer lies in the planning codes that shape every street, setback and driveway.These codes still reflect post-war thinking, imported from the United States, where the car industry heavily influenced urban design. That is why so many new suburbs are built around cul-de-sacs and collector roads.They are car-dependent, not people-friendly. Public transport does not work in them. Neither does walkability.We inherited those frameworks, and we are still using them. When I was working on the Tullimbar project in Albion Park, we ran into exactly that problem.We wanted to create a compact, walkable, mixed-use township. But we quickly discovered the regulations would not allow it.So, with Council’s support, we wrote a new set of planning rules.At Tullimbar, we did things differently. Every street had a footpath on both sides.Setbacks were one metre, not five. Every home had a front veranda.If someone was sitting out front and you walked past on the footpath, you were only a few metres apart. You had to say good morning. You built relationships without trying.Some blocks were just 250 square metres. That is perfect for people who are ready to downsize, who are done with lawnmowers and want a home they can manage. But it was still Torrens title, because we had real laneways. Laneways matter. You cannot build good terrace housing without them. But most Council DCPs do not even contain a standard for them.We need to talk about that. Because as we age, more and more of us will want to downsize.Research out of Melbourne shows half of people over 65 would consider a smaller home if it was the right product. But that product is not being built, because our regulations do not permit it.The planning system, in many ways, is fostering worst practice. I cannot say that strongly enough. We need model regulations that allow for traditional towns, designed around walking, neighbourliness and mixed uses.I have spoken with the Department of Planning and the Government Architect.They agree with the need, but they told me that they needed additional skills and resources, and a model in order to lead it.They are waiting for someone else to go first. One place where best practice could happen locally is Bombo Quarry.With enough scale to support 5000 people, it offers a real opportunity to demonstrate what a sustainable, walkable township could look like. But to unlock that kind of thinking, we need inspired and visionary political leadership.The kind of leadership that is not afraid to challenge outdated assumptions or trial something different. The public can help. Advocacy matters. If the community clearly signals that this is what we want, then elected leaders are empowered to act.They can establish the right framework and set up the advisory teams needed to get it right.

For years, I had dreamt of exploring incredible India, but at this time in my life, the prospect seemed elusive.The reality was that Hubby and I were running a small business, which, in itself, was a daily adventure.We had four children, making it even more challenging. And so the idea of flitting off to India for a few weeks on our own appeared to be out of our grasp.And then it happened.Attending a weekend travel expo in Sydney's Darling Harbour, we found a small Indian travel company, family owned and run, which specialised in designing affordable, individual itineraries to clients' requirements, and we were instantly hooked.Now was our chance - there was a small window of opportunity to have someone babysit our children and our business so we grabbed it.There was only one slight hiccup.It was June, and temperatures in India were sweltering.Visiting India in June is not for the faint-hearted but we were undeterred.Weather, no matter how uncomfortable, was not going to get in the way of our great travel adventure.And so, in mid-June of 2007, we arrived in Mumbai.The culture shock hit us like a brick. Over 12 million people in one city, a seething mass of humanity.It was hot and noisy, and the air was thick with vehicle fumes and blasting car horns. Initially it was an assault on the senses but in relatively little time, we adjusted because it was so utterly different, so vibrant and exciting.Wherever you walked in the streets there were food vendors, sweet tea vendors, snake charmers, richly coloured saris, people sleeping on the pavements, monkeys, and a distinct smell of spice.And we loved it.Over the ensuing two weeks, we travelled around Rajasthan, mainly in an old, breakdown-prone Ambassador, but also by motorboat, plane, elephant and camel.The driver, Mr Shand, was a local tour guide, and I have written about him in an earlier story, A Tale Of Tourguides.He was quite a character. He not only ensured by way of his terrifying driving that we had a hair-raising adventure, but he also spun us tales about various sites we passed by, which more often than not were completely made up on the spur of the moment."Is that a temple Mr Shand?""Oh yes, Miss Carol, that is a temple!"We'd find out later it was a school.He was however, scrupulous on timing, and would find the most crazy way to drive around the odd goat herd or donkey that dared get in his way. Through potholes resembling mini mountain ranges, he forged ahead. Hence, a few hours spent here and there on our journey in various mechanical workshops with no aircon. As I'm writing this memory I'm laughing. The sheer joy of it all, now, as I look back! Wasn't so joyful at the time.Throughout our trip, we ate the most amazing, predominantly vegetarian food - our favourite being the Thali, a platter with small bowls consisting of rice, lentils, curries, pickles, raita and pappadums or roti.We drank, generally warmish, beers and G&Ts. Apparently, refrigeration couldn't quite keep up with the weather. And ice was rare.As we made our way from Mumbai to Udaipur, to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner close to the border with Kashmir, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi, we slept overnight in Maharajah's palaces and merchant's houses, called Havelis, paying a pittance, as we were generally the only occupants; tourists usually don't like temperatures in excess of 50C. One night we had to wait until after 8.30pm to eat our evening meal; staff needed the temperature to drop to 45C before they could prepare our meal. We were the only guests .We visited temples and gardens and forts and tombs and stupas and museums.We saw precious stone jewellers and miniature painters working at their trades, and holy men in the lotus position, praying beside the Mother Ganges, while a funeral pyre sent flames and smoke soaring high above the river.We saw the sun rise above the Taj Mahal, and were astounded by the beauty of this special place. No photograph or video will ever do it justice, it is magnificent.But it was the people we remember most. Young men, university graduates guiding us through palaces and forts, and also talking to us about their family lives and customs; little children in the streets, carrying tiny babies, and begging; gorgeous saris; traders selling all manner of goods, and inviting us to haggle.And we had some fun with these traders.Now I know what you're thinking. Haggling over already cheap prices is horrid. In actual fact, haggling is expected, and Indian traders and shopkeepers are highly talented, play us like fish, and generally come out on top. Or at least with us they did. Every time.Except for the following funny incident.There we were in a vast market which sold silk items, scarves and pashminas. We were very obviously tourists. A young Indian man, who appeared to be the store owner, swaggered over to my husband and started a conversation . He asked if we were Aussies, and when my hubby said yes, he immediately started talking about cricket.This was not a new thing to us. Everywhere we went in India, if we were recognised as being Aussie, the next topic of conversation was cricket. And fortunately we both love the sport.The young man had the gift of the gab and was boasting to us that he was the greatest fast bowler in Rajasthan.He was quite a legend. In his own mind.Without batting an eye, and with a straight face, my hubby retorted that he was, in fact, Ricky Ponting's brother. The young man's posturing almost immediately turned to reverence. We left his shop having purchased many scarves, and leaving him awestruck.On another cricket-related occasion, in fierce late afternoon heat we were set to ride camels in the Sam sand dunes in the midst of the Thar desert. The young boys leading our very frisky camels were far from friendly. In fact, they were totally silent,almost hostile ... until cricket was mentioned. And hubby couldn't resist. He became Ponting's brother for the second time. Well, those boys became as frisky as the camels! And there was nothing they didn't know, stats wise, about any of our current Aussie cricketers. We were instant besties, ah, the power of sport! And the power of being related to an Aussie cricket legend, even if this was not in any way true.Incredible, exotic, amazing India was a two-week sensory experience . We learned, we laughed, we most certainly sweated our way around Rajasthan, and to this day, when I hear the name Ricky Ponting, I smile.By Carol Goddard

It seems like 2025 is both rushing at us and rushing by. Everything seems to be accelerating, the 24/7 news cycle on permanent fast-forward, social media algorithms magnifying a sense of crisis around every corner.Overseas, at breakneck speed President Trump is upending international alliances that have underpinned the fragile geopolitical stability much of the world has enjoyed since 1945. In Ukraine, a miserable war grinds on, while in its rubble-strewn streets, Gaza remains in the grip of a humanitarian crisis.Here at home, the cost-of-living crisis continues to squeeze family budgets to breaking point, all while we continue to come to grips with a housing catastrophe decades in the making and which, truth be told, will take decades to fix. While the rich get richer, many of us are seemingly powerless in an economy that we feel has left us out and left us behind. With a federal election soon upon us, we are being bombarded daily with promises many of us don’t believe.More than a century ago, Vladmir Lenin said that ‘There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.’ Given the pace of change washing over us, and the various crises mushrooming around us, it seems 2025 is a year where, to borrow Lenin’s phrase, decades are happening.In these uncertain and anxious times, many of us are feeling overwhelmed. Through 2024 Lifeline recorded 8 of its 10 largest daily call volumes as ordinary Aussies from every demographic and nearly every postcode sought help. Whether we recognize it or not, many of us are grieving – a dream that’s fading, certainties that are disappearing or hope that’s receding.Jesus, the central figure not only of the Easter story but of human history, was described by a prophet as a ‘man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.’ On the night he would be betrayed, arrested and imprisoned, knowing the unimaginable suffering that lay head for him, Jesus told his friends that his soul was ‘overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.’In that moment in the Garden, Jesus had a choice. He could have let the cup of suffering he was to drink pass him by. Compelled by perfect and pure love, Jesus willingly walked the loneliest roads of suffering, pain and death. Decades after his death, one of his friends recalled Jesus’ own words, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but will have everlasting life.’Whosoever is you and me – all of us, everywhere and across every time – without exception. God’s love for us is without limit.It was love that compelled Jesus to walk the way of suffering, love that stretched out his hands on the cross and love that forgave his enemies with his dying breath.It was love that saw him lay down his life so that we might enjoy friendship with God. There is no greater love than this.It was love that rolled the away the stone of Jesus’ tomb, revealing not only his empty graveclothes, but that in the end, that love has the first and final word – that when all is said and done, love wins.The story of Easter is the story of God’s love overcoming our failures, our sins, our shame, our guilt, and the power of death itself. God’s perfect love is the power than can overwhelm all our fears.In a world changing at overwhelming speed, when we can feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, anxiety and fear – the Easter truth that love overcomes, that love wins – echoes down two millennia of history and stretches out into eternity, and reaches out for you and for me, embracing us with the assurance that God will never leave us, that there is always hope.This truth invites us into a personal and utterly transformative relationship with God. Freely God is offering you his love, and freely you can receive and be forever changed by it.

We live in a time where bad news seems to be everywhere. Whether it is international conflicts and politics, a national cost of living crisis or personal devastation, our world seems to sometimes be more focused on the bad as opposed to the good. Indeed, the idea of ‘good news’ often seems like an afterthought; a short segment to wrap up the evening news bulletin, or an attempt at offering a ‘silver lining’ after hearing a story of devastation and loss.However, as we look towards the Easter season, The Salvation Army are preparing to experience and celebrate good news - for us, that good news is found in the Easter story through the death and resurrection of Jesus.When Jesus died on a cross on Good Friday, it was the ultimate bad news for all of those who followed Him. All hope seemed lost, but the story didn’t end there.On Easter Sunday, Jesus rose from the grave into new life. This good news brought with it hope and joy back then, and this good news can offer the same for us today. We believe that through the good news of Jesus, God can take our tragedy and turn it into joy.For The Salvation Army, every day we have people reach out to us who are looking for help. We are seeing new faces come through our doors, those who have never had to reach out to a charity before, who are only just making ends meet.We see how the most simple things like offering a meal, assistance paying bills, a safe bed to sleep in, or a listening ear, can be the ultimate good news for someone. It is that good news that brings people hope.So, as we all face struggles right across the country, whether they are big or small, perhaps a little good news would go a long way.This is why this Easter, regardless of your faith, the Salvos invite you to explore the good news of Jesus with us. To find out more about your local Easter activities through The Salvation Army, visit salvationarmy.org.au.

Opinion by Karen Fowler The Draft Local Housing Strategy could reshape our towns and villages - but is it heading in the right direction?At a recent Kiama Matters Inc meeting, I asked people to ensure they help shape the future of Kiama by engaging with the Housing Strategy process and providing feedback to our Council and Councillors.The Housing Strategy will define the way our urban environment grows and guide priorities for infrastructure and services.  See Draft Housing Strategy V2 hereThe Strategy will determine what our villages will look like in a decade’s time.The Strategy outlines four key priorities - well-located housing supply, diverse housing options, supporting infrastructure, and thriving centres. While I agree with these priorities, the question I would like people to consider is whether the Strategy actually delivers on them.One concern being raised by the community is that the document relies on outdated population projections. It draws from 2022 data suggesting Kiama will grow by 6917 people by 2041. However, updated 2024 figures project growth of just 2180. We appear to be planning for almost double the expected number.  Even using the older figures, the Strategy seems to propose more housing than needed.The plan identifies an existing capacity to deliver 2341 new homes by 2041, mostly through in-fill development in Kiama and Gerringong. To meet the projected shortfall, Kiama Municipal Council has proposed four Urban Expansion Areas across the Local Government Area. The largest - in Kiama - could accommodate 4200 lots yet we only need to cater for 1028 new dwellings to meet the shortfall. This raises important questions about scale, sustainability, and the ability to keep Kiama liveable. Council argues it needs a pipeline of greenfield land because it cannot control when developers build. While I understand this, the community still needs to consider whether the size of this proposed pipeline is justified.There are positives. I welcome the “non-negotiable principles” in the Strategy and the inclusion of a requirement for a Structure Plan to coordinate planning proposals and infrastructure across the area. The actions in the document around infrastructure planning have also been strengthened.Good strategic land use planning requires consideration of not only economic outcomes. It must also weigh up environmental, social and cultural outcomes. Economic outcomes are easy to measure. Environmental impacts can be assessed by experts. But social and cultural values - our sense of place, our heritage, our access to housing and services – the things that create a healthy and happy community, they are harder to quantify and need to be defined by the people that live here. This is why we need your input. Happy and healthy communities come from people feeling safe, supported, and connected. I keep hearing that our cultural values are embedded in our love of green hills, our beaches, and relaxed outdoor lifestyle. If we want a future that protects these, we must ensure planning decisions are guided by more than population targets and dollars.I urge residents to read the Strategy. Reflect on whether it reflects our community’s needs. This is more than a plan. It is a vision of our future. Let’s make sure it is one we share.Hae your say here

I migrated from Holland at just 8 years of age ... and proudly became an Australian citizen. I see our national flag as a symbol of this amazing country and its people.Recently I attended a candidates forum at the Uniting Church in Kiama.I was deeply saddened to see only two flags on display being the Aboriginal and Torres Strait flags.The Australian national flag was not on display.This in my opinion dishonours those many men and women who fought for our great country, many of whom would be attendees at this church and would be too polite to comment.These same men and women would have fought for or served our nation during so many different wars and many other ways of representing our country.I feel this lack of respect also dishonours all those people and their families who have obtained citizenship as migrants, or refugees fleeing conflict for a better life here in AustraliaTo me, this is not an example to set by a church which is supposed to be apolitical.It seems that perhaps this Minister is setting a political agenda and uses her church to promote it or perhaps it was complete forgetfulness!Joanna Gash AM JPFormer Member for Gilmore (1996-2013)Former Mayor of the Shoalhaven City Council to 2021

Landcare Illawarra is writing to invite you to join part of the Landcare Kiama coastal walk on Saturday 12 April, from the Little Blowhole to Minnamurra Headland. The full walk is approximately 9km, but there is no expectation to complete the entire distance. You are welcome to join at any of the four Landcare sites along the way and walk a section that suits you.The walk is part of the Kiama Coastal Community Planting Program, supported by the BUPA Healthy Cities Landcare grant. It will highlight the work being done by our five local Landcare groups to restore native vegetation and care for the coastal environment.We would love to walk alongside you, even briefly If you would like to take part, please register here and let Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall know which section you are most interested in. Meredith will coordinate approximate timings and can send a message on the day when we are around 15 to 20 minutes from your preferred meeting point.This is a great opportunity to meet volunteers, hear their stories and see firsthand the quiet, consistent impact of community-led restoration along our coastline.Estimated timings 8.30am Meet at Little Blowhole9.00am Kaleula Headland (South Kendalls)10.00am Bombo Beach10.45am Bombo Headland11.15am Jones Beach /Kiama Downs (no Landcare site here)11.45am Minnamurra Headland12pm Morning tea at Minnamurra site.We’d love to see you there.To take part or find out more see the event flyer here Landcare Illawarra Coordinator Meredith Hall can be contacted on 0499 027 770 on the day.

The sale of Blue Haven Bonaira was meant to be finalised on 1 December 2024. That deadline came and went.Then, the new settlement date was set for 25 February 2025. Now, Kiama Council is considering yet another extension to 31 March.How did a contract allow this? How can a purchaser dictate settlement terms, pushing deadlines back repeatedly?This is not standard practice in any commercial transaction.Contracts are meant to provide certainty, yet this deal has been a shifting target from the start.The sale of Blue Haven Bonaira was justified on urgent financial necessity. But with settlement still unresolved, that urgency now raises serious questions.If the sale was the only viable solution to Kiama Council’s financial troubles, why wasn’t a firm, enforceable settlement date locked in?What leverage does the buyer have that allows them to delay closing the deal?Meanwhile, Blue Haven Bonaira is reportedly at nearly full occupancy for the first time since opening in 2019.The very facility that was deemed unsustainable now appears to be thriving. How does this fit into the financial narrative that drove the sale?The community deserves answers.Why is this deal still not finalised, and who truly holds the power in this transaction? Allan HolderKiama

Opinion I don’t think our community is well informed about the extent of the potential impact the Kiama Draft Housing Strategy on our town of Kiama (currently on exhibition).Originally it proposed to increase the municipality’s population by a third, but with the addition of the State Government mandated Springside Hill development and the inclusion of existing land available for development, we will see nearly 5000 lots available for development in Kiama alone, doubling both its size and population. This will mean that most of the land west of the bypass in Kiama will be covered in houses, including the land behind Spring Creek and Bombo, south Kiama adjoining the high school, and the ridges and valleys of west Kiama.I think that most people would accept the need for housing growth, but this Strategy crosses a line and is truly excessive.The most alarming aspect of the Strategy is that the Springside Hill development at West Kiama was opposed by both Council and the community, but the State Labor government imposed it anyway without consultation or regard for environmental impacts. This development alone will significantly impact our scenic landscapes, heritage listed stone walls, high quality agricultural lands, Spring Creek wetlands and biodiversity.    I know that times are changing but is Kiama going to accept this without a whimper?? Howard H Jones(Secretary Gerroa Environmental Protection Society The image below taken from the Strategy does not include South Kiama

Sometimes, road signs give clear instructions. Sometimes, they leave you scratching your head. And then, occasionally, they deliver a comedy gold moment like this one in the Kiama local government area.At first glance, it looks like your standard stop sign – an unmissable red octagon commanding you to hit the brakes. Nothing out of the ordinary there. But then, underneath, there’s a second sign. It says, in no uncertain terms: No Stopping.Well, which is it? Should drivers stop or not? Are we caught in some sort of bureaucratic paradox? A Schrödinger’s stop sign, if you will? The road rules demand compliance, but compliance with what?Perhaps this is a philosophical challenge for Kiama’s drivers. A test of wit, reflexes, and interpretation skills. Or maybe it’s a message from a local prankster-turned-signage official who just wanted to see how long it would take for someone to notice. Either way, it’s a brilliant example of how even the most well-intended infrastructure can end up delivering a belly laugh.We may never know the true story behind this sign’s creation.But one thing is certain – it’s the perfect visual representation of modern life. Confusing, contradictory, and slightly ridiculous.Welcome to driving in Kiama.Is this Kiama’s most confusing sign?

There is a noticeable shortage of Public Transport servicing Kiama; WHY!With the demise of the original Taxi Service, it seems full public transport for the residents is nonexistent.Or, if it exists it is well hidden from the citizens of Kiama.There is no dedicated Taxi Service that can be called for servicing the immediate area that can be contacted for example pick up and drop off to trains and other essential services in the town.Companies advertising their services don't actually seem to exist and have no real point of contact.Just the simple trips like a pickup from the train are not available, trips to medical facilities and supermarkets are not serviced in anyway.This obviously is an inconvenience to everyone in the area.In addition, the bus service leaves a lot to be desired as there is no set formats and times available. A regular bus service taking in the main areas of Kiama would be invaluable using the Train Station as a starting point.Kiama sets itself out as a progressive town, somehow Public Transport has been ignored.A well-grounded Transport system can only be an asset in service for the residents and a well set up Taxi Service.It is a matter for the Local Council to address urgently and push this forward.What a business opportunity for a progressive operator.B Christian.

Thank you and Ms England for Disobedience! No apologies needed to Mr Milne I am very certain he would have loved it.K.

What a shame for the future of Berry that the hotel expansion has not been accepted ("'Sydney-looking': uproad over $10m pub plans", February 12). The old pub is crying out to be reinvented.Compared to some of the plans for the future of nearby Kiama, the architectural concept seems quite acceptable, and the trees in Princess Street will soon grow higher than the three storeys planned for the new build.I am sure the locals also said the Berry pub itself was "too Sydney" when it was first planned about 160 years ago.Things do change. New ideas must be embraced for the good that will follow. The area desperately needs more tourist accommodation. At the moment, Berry is like a ghost town after 5pm, when all the day trippers have gone.I well remember this community was equally divided as to what side of town the new bypass should be routed. Now that's finally up and running it's hard to imagine life in Berry without it, no matter what side of town it ended up on. It seems the NIMBY approach to any sort of change continues to create a very predictable stumbling block for those with fresh, imaginative visions.G. Vale

Just wanted to say thank you for publishing the article about Alan Swan and how Kiama SLSC now recognise that all forms of volunteers are valued. This has inspired me to reconnect with the club, after a couple years away. I strongly believe in and value their contribution. So hopefully can still contribute, even in a less hands on way than I was a few years back, as much as I would love to. Just not possible right nowK.

A huge round of applause to the Jamberoo Football Club team for their outstanding organisation and professional delivery of another fantastic Jamberoo Sevens. From seamless scheduling to ensuring everything ran smoothly on and off the pitch, the effort and dedication of the club’s volunteers made this tournament a huge success.A special shoutout to Club President Alan Smith - a man who, despite not making it to Manchester United (thanks to an untimely haircut), still brings Premier League-level passion and commitment to local football. Born in Manchester, Alan is one of the rare United fans actually from Manchester! These days, he’s just as well known in the community as the man in the middle, keeping matches in check as the club’s senior referee.A big thank you also to Vice President Kristin Nisbet, who has poured years of dedication into the game. From coaching junior teams to managing women’s squads and playing in three grand finals (winning none, by her own admission!), Kristin’s passion for the sport is unmatched. Now, she’s found her football home at Jamberoo, balancing her role as a player, manager, and advocate for female participation in the game—all while occasionally sharing the field with her daughter.The success of the Jamberoo Sevens is a testament to the hard work of Alan, Kristin, and the entire Jamberoo Football Club team. The community spirit and love for the game were on full display throughout the weekend, making this tournament yet another unforgettable one.Well done to all involved - see you next year!