After years of waiting due to NSW Government red tape, Kiama Council is pleased to announce the listing of five Council-owned residential lots at 17–25 Glenbrook Drive, Kiama.The sale of the land will be a key milestone in the delivery of Council’s Advocacy Plan and a significant step toward addressing local housing needs and long-term financial sustainability.The lots are listed with First National Coast & Country and will go to auction on 25 October. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the listings represent a positive and long-awaited achievement for Council and the community.“This is a win for the community and for our Council’s advocacy efforts,” he said. “The listing of the Glenbrook Drive lots was one of our key Advocacy Plan objectives, and I’m proud we’ve now achieved it. "It shows that when we set goals and work together, we can deliver real progress for Kiama.”While the sale of the Glenbrook Drive marks a significant milestone, the Mayor noted that more work lies ahead.“We still have important advocacy priorities to deliver - particularly the lifting of restrictive covenants on Council’s Spring Creek landholdings,” he said.“Unlocking this land would allow us to provide more housing and employment lands for our growing community, which would in turn help support local families, and strengthen Council’s ability to deliver essential services in a financially sustainable way.”

Kiama Council has announced its Jamberoo Pool season for this summer will run from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 15 March.This year’s season reflects the Council resolution to reduce the outdoor pool’s opening hours by four weeks to minimise operating costs while maximising pool use.“This year’s opening hours take advantage of our busiest time of year – the summer school holiday period – to ensure our local residents and tourist visitors can enjoy this wonderful facility at peak times,” said Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.The decision about the season dates and hours reflect the statistics from last year’s 2024-25 summer season:For two weeks of November 2024 only 310 people attended the pool, with the majority only attending during few hours in the middle of the day.In the final two weeks of March 2025, only 81 people attended the pool.Regardless of the number of people, Council still needs to pay for lifeguard.Last year, Kiama council introduced a small entry fee for the Jamberoo Pool.In 2025-26 this will beAdult swim - $4.20Child/Concession Swim - $2.10Family Swim (2 adults/2 children - $10.50Adult Season Swim Membership - $100.00Child/Concession Season Swim Membership - $50.00Children under school age will continue to enjoy free access. Visitors not swimming will not be charged.Payments for single entry or seasonal membership will be via tapping (payWave) your card or smartphone. Last financial year, the revenue from this entry fee was around $7000, while it cost Council approximately $118,000 to open the pool for the season.This year, Council has invested a further $14,000 to have two pool covers and a roller installed, to keep out leaves and other debris. The covers are also designed to dissuade the ducks, as they sit above the waterline.

The Jamberoo Croquet Club is inviting the community to discover the sport of croquet at their Come and Try Twilight Croquet event on Wednesday 5 November from 5pm to 7pm at Keith Irvine Oval.Established in 1997, the club has been in the same picturesque location for almost 30 years and currently has 78 members, both men and women, who play seven days a week across three lawns. Jamberoo Croquet Club’s (JCC) publicity officer Glenda Gutierrez says the come and try event is designed to showcase the sport and welcome new members.“It's just to show them the sport, let them have a hit with the mallet and the ball and see what they think,” she said“And if they wish to pursue it, they're more than welcome to come and we will offer formal coaching then.”The free event provides all equipment and coaching, with JCC members guiding participants through the basics of croquet.For those interested in pursuing croquet, JCC offers three free coaching sessions with no obligation to join, but it allows people enough time to know if it’s the sport for them.“It's really hard to get an idea of whether you think this sport is yours unless you actually physically pick up a mallet and hit a ball,” she said.“I've been playing for quite a while now, once I hit a ball that was it, I was in. It was really the sport for me.”Last year’s come and try event drew in participants from 12 years old to seniors, showing that croquet is for anyone curious about the sport and willing to participate.“Because it's not overly physical, it is very much targeted for the more senior members of the public or those who may have some sort of limitation,” Glenda said.“People can play socially or if they are very competitive, most definitely they can enroll themselves in a competition.”Bookings are essential as spaces are limited, contact Jamberoo Croquet Club Secretary Jim Cook at [email protected] to reserve a spot.

Well into spring and with the summer feeling upon us, Kiama Cycles has launched ‘Ride Kiama’ for locals and tourists to see the area.And with the evolution from external geared bikes to e-bikes, Kiama Cycles has the right bike for everyone. “We’ve had customers come in, haven’t ridden a bike for 20 years and are able to do a three-to-four-hour ride and come back absolutely loving it,” store owner Beau Rosser said. Beau explained he had a meeting with Destination Kiama after he saw a gap in the market of e-bike hire and showcasing Kiama in an environmentally friendly way. “We have set up some routes to showcase the region on an e-bike,” he said. “It works with an app on their phone, and they can basically use that to follow the route. “The e-bikes we rent are fully compliant, usually drive mid motor - so plenty of torque to get up the hills. Everyone is not Lance Armstrong, but people love to get out and go for a ride.” For families looking to get in on the action, age is only important when you’re riding alone – it comes down to height. “Generally speaking, because they’re [e-bikes] more adult sizes, we have had a 10-year-old yesterday who was quite tall, though,” he said. “But as long as they’ve got parents and supervision, that’s fine. “If they are taking them by themselves, they have to be of age - 18 [years old].” Beau is proud of Kiama Cycles’ compliance with regulations and safety managing e-bikes and he told The Bugle how he handles a ‘Temu’ e-bike. “We’re very cautious with that and have to be for a number of reasons,” he said. “One, our safety, but also work health and safety and customer safety as well. “If we see a bike that comes in that is a ‘Temu’ bike, we take the battery out but are happy to work on the actual bike, but not touching the electronics.” To feel the wind in your hair (of course under a helmet) and the sun on your face, bookings are essential and can be made at https://kiamacycles.com.au/pages/e-bike-hire-kiama

The community is being invited to share stories of the historic Nowra Bridge as the first stage of repairs on the Shoalhaven River crossing continues ahead of its new life as a pedestrian and cyclist path.After 142 years of service, the bridge was retired from road traffic use when the new Nowra Bridge opened. The historic landmark is being retained due to its historical significance, heritage value, community support, and expected benefits to the area.Repairing and repurposing the bridge to ensure its future longevity is a significant task, with the first stage focused on repairing the truss structure.Crews have been removing damaged and corroded elements for repairs, including 1500 rivets by hand, replacing rosette style diagonal bracing washers, and propping and removing end truss lattices.An innovative method was successfully trialed to remove the cantilever pedestrian walkway, which was added to the historic bridge in 1980. A crane mounted on a truck was used to carefully manoeuvre large sections of the walkway, each weighing more than three tonnes, through the bridge trusses. This approach means the walkway can be dismantled directly from the bridge deck, avoiding complex marine operations and delivering cost savings.Crews will continue removing the remaining cantilever pedestrian walkway sections later this year after moving into stage two of the work, which will include installing scaffolding beneath the bridge ahead of repainting.Over the next few months, the team will continue repairs, remove and replace services, utilities and concrete barriers, and start procurement for repainting.In the first half of next year, stage three is expected to begin. This will involve abrasive blasting to remove existing paint, requiring sections of the bridge to be wrapped to prevent contaminants entering the river below. The process, expected to take around 18 months, will include strict environmental controls.The final stage will involve pier strengthening and the installation of new lighting, handrails, street furniture and other shared path features.The repair and repurposing work is being carried out with $20 million in funding as part of the Australian and NSW Government’s $364 million Nowra Bridge project.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said the project was about investing in Shoalhaven’s future while respecting the past. "The Nowra Bridge has carried generations of locals across the river, and I’m delighted the Albanese Labor Government has partnered with NSW to preserve it as a shared community space," she said.“As a kid growing up in Nowra, when you drove over the bridge, you knew you were home.“I look forward to hearing interesting stories about the bridge from over the years and urge people to get involved in this project which will preserve the history of the bridge for generations to come.“Projects like this not only celebrate our heritage but also boost local jobs and tourism opportunities.“It’s such an iconic local landmark and I’m really looking forward to seeing it transformed into a wonderful asset the whole community can enjoy.”State Member for South Coast Liza Butler added that she saw Nowra Bridge as "part of the fabric of our community" and "a vital connection for more than a century". "I’m proud that it will continue to have a role in our future, as a safe and accessible space for pedestrians and cyclists.“This project is about preserving our history while adapting the bridge for modern needs. "Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the bridge in a whole new way, as a place to walk, cycle, and reflect on its remarkable story.”“I encourage everyone in the community to share their memories and stories of the bridge, so this important piece of Shoalhaven’s history can be celebrated for generations to come.”Incoming Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said she was “excited to see it given new life for future generations to enjoy”.Local residents are encouraged to share their memories and stories of the historic bridge by emailing [email protected].

This week's edition of The Bugle is filled with plenty of local news and views from the local community.Our lead item is the tale of Gerringong grandmother Anne Colquit, who is reaching out to the wider community to rally together and help support her daughter and son-in-law’s family, who have triplets in two different hospitals; one hour and a half apart, with one newborn suffering severe complications.CLICK HERE TO READ THE DIGITAL EDITIONThere is in-depth coverage of the upswing in local real estate, the Mayoral breakfast, the demolition of the old retirement village at Havilah Place and the firestorm over Andrew Constance's appointment as the new Shoalhaven City Council CEO.Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the appointment of Constance.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips wrote to the Minister after Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former NSW Treasurer had won the race to fill the CEO vacancy.Phillips said the appointment "smacks of political bastardry" and she raised her concerns about his lack of experience at local government level with Hoenig.You can also read plenty of other great community stories, including John Gabriele's gardening column, a local woman's breast cancer fundraiser, the breakthrough in the Bombo Quarry development plans and all the action with some great photos from the dashing dogs at the high-octane flyball competition on the weekend.In sport, you can read about Kiama's grand final victory in the Group 7, a local soccer player's golden season and a full wrap-up of the Kiama Triathlon last weekend.Nearly 500 competitors took part in the triathlon, with many entrants using the event as a final warm-up for the World Championships in Wollongong later this month.

Hindmarsh Park will transform into a vibrant celebration of Latin culture as the Spanish and Latin American Outdoor Fiesta takes over next Saturday. This free, family-friendly event is being hosted by the Spanish and Latin American Community Organisation (SALCO), and offers a day of music, dance, art, food, and cultural celebration from 11am to 4pm. Project Manager of SALCO, Bertha Quiros, says the event welcomes visitors to experience Latin American culture through visual art and live performance. “The Spanish & Latin American Outdoor Fiesta is all about celebrating culture and bringing people together,” said Quiros.The festivities will kick off with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Gwenda Jarratt, and from there attendees can expect to see a range of performances. The lineup includes performances from the high-energy Samba Brazil dancers, passionate Soul Flamenco music and dance, and the Tango Sur flash mob that encourages audience participation. “We’re proud to showcase world-class performances while sharing the rich traditions of Latin America with the Kiama community,” said Quiros.Audiences can also expect to see performances by the Latin Power Band, Aguilera Family Music, Mexican Dance Group of Australia, Te Amo Peru, and Fabi Vera. Beyond entertainment, festival-goers can explore the many food trucks offering authentic flavours, artisan stalls, and cultural displays throughout the park.Alongside the weekend celebration, SALCO is hosting an exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery titled ‘Natura Viva: A Latin American Celebration of the Natural World”.The exhibition will be open daily from 9 to 15 October, from 10am to 3pm and will feature art by Spanish-speaking artists exploring nature, heritage, and identity. The Outdoor Fiesta will take place on Saturday 11 October from 11am to 4pm with entry to the fiesta and exhibition free. For more information visit www.salco.org.au.

Development looks to have claimed another victim and this time it is independent charity op-shop Mayflower Nearly New in Gerringong which is set to lose the depot which houses its overflow of stock.With almost 50 years of servicing and supporting locals with donated items and having stepped away from being under the Uniting Church umbrella, it appears there is no love lost when it comes to real estate.Jennifer James, of the Mayflower Nearly New store, explained to The Bugle that the Uniting Church is pulling down the old hospital on Belinda Street to be developed into independent living units. “They own the land and of course, we own the shed and they [Uniting Church] are not renewing the lease,” she said, who has had experience working in the clothing store ‘A Breath of Scandal’ in Sydney. “The lease expires [for the depot] next June.” The current store, which is located on Fern Street next to the Butcher and displays the processed goods from donations, is approximately 35 square metres. “If you can see the size of this shop, we can’t even fit two people in the back room - we can’t have this as a depot,” James added. Mayflower Nearly New’s Isabella Campbell said around a dozen ladies turn up every Tuesday morning to help sort out the donations for sale. Because of the generosity of the Gerringong locals and surrounding townships, not all that is donated makes it to the shopfront. “What we can’t give to the shop here has to go somewhere and we don’t want it to go into a garbage bin anywhere,” Campbell said. “We give to the Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse – we send all our material to them because they make bags that go overseas. “We also give to Animal Welfare [League] if there are blankets that can’t be sold.” Looking around the shop, the majority of the items are clothing with some preloved books, but there is a lot of antique ‘bric-a-brac’. “If somebody gives us antiques and we can’t sell them, we pass them on to our museum in Gerringong here,” James said. Over the past six years, the ladies from the shop projected the potential donations to various community organisations and charities has exceeded $300,000.Campbell and James, along with some elders from the Uniting Church, are on the committee which decides where the money is distributed. “It is a real hub for the grandparents, [they] come here in the school holidays to stop the children from getting bored,” James said. “A lot of jigsaw puzzles – it is a community place.”   The ladies of the Mayflower Nearly New store said they once received 75 wedding dresses, all brand new, which did not take long to waltz out the door, but a silver jug takes the cream. “It’s a little cream jug that we believe came off the Orient Express, but we didn’t want to sell stolen goods, so we passed it on,” James said.For anyone who has any information on a new depot for the Mayflower Nearly New store speak to someone in the Fern street store or email [email protected]

Motorists taking to the roads this long weekend can expect to see police out in force in NSW to ensure the safety of all road users.Operation Labour Day 2025 kicked off at 12.01am on Friday and will run until 11.59pm on Monday.Officers will be targeting drink and drug driving, fatigue, mobile phone use, speeding and seat belt and helmet offences, with double demerits in place for the duration of the operation.Operation Labour Day will be led by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of general duties and specialist police from all police commands and districts across the state.Since 1 January, 271 people have died in crashes on NSW roads – 192 of those in regional areas.Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley, has urged drivers to take extra care on the roads this long weekend as the state heads into one of the most anticipated times of the year.“As we welcome in one of the best times of the year, we're pleading with drivers to be careful on the roads,” Catley said.“No one can afford the price of a split-second decision gone wrong. It could mean years behind bars, the loss of a loved one or losing your own life. It's simply not worth it.“Make the right decision, one that gets you and your family to and from your destination safely and you’ll make it a weekend to remember for all the right reasons.“While many of us spend the long weekend with our families, police officers are on the roads pulling over dangerous drivers, responding to crashes and delivering heartbreaking news. Their work saves lives and we thank them.”Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the aim this weekend is to ensure all road users get to their destinations safely.“NSW Police Force is committed to ensuring our roads are safe, and we need everyone to do their part,” Driver said.“You can expect to see officers anywhere, anytime on the road to deter any dangerous behaviour that impacts the safety of road users.“This means not driving while you are tired, taking breaks on long trips, driving to the conditions and not getting behind the wheel if you have been drinking alcohol, have taken illicit drugs or are impaired in any way.“All road users need to be constantly aware of the ever-changing circumstances they find themselves in.“Being distracted includes simply not concentrating on what you are doing, whether it be driving, riding or crossing the road.“When it comes down to it, we are responsible for our behaviour behind the wheel, and we urge all road users to do the right thing – it could save your life.”Transport for NSW executive director of transport safety Chadi Chalhoub said everyone on the road has a responsibility to obey the rules and make safe decisions to ensure everyone has a safe long weekend.“Every decision you make behind the wheel can be the difference between someone reaching their destination safely or tragically never returning home and no one should lose a loved one because someone didn’t follow the road rules,” Chalhoub said.“There are simple things everyone can do to help make our roads safer. That includes staying under the speed limit and driving to the conditions, wearing a seatbelt, never driving when tired, not using a mobile phone while driving, having a Plan B before drinking and never, ever driving if affected by drugs or alcohol.“Fans attending the NRL grand final on Sunday are encouraged to take public transport as travel is included with match tickets. However, if you must drive you must pre-book parking before and are reminded to allow extra travel time, be patient and drive safely as the roads are expected to be busy.”Members of the public are urged to report motorists engaged in dangerous driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

As the days grow longer and the sun begins to shine brighter, winter hibernation is coming to an end and Kiama Unplugged is kicking off with the hottest event of the season - Unplugged After Dark at popular eatery Cin Cin Wine Bar near the Little Blow Hole. Jane Bourne, who heads up Kiama Unplugged with her husband Ian Harvey-George, explained the organic nature of the event. “The only rule is no phones. Everything we do is all about connecting people in real life and away from screens,” Bourne said. “It’s an opportunity for friends, couples, or just singles who want to meet local people to come and have a nice dinner at Cin Cin.” Exploding Topics Research Associate Fabio Duarte published findings of screen time attributed to adults in April 2025 and found that on a global average, people spend 6 hours and 40 minutes per day. Bourne said the event aims to provide a space where people are not tempted to reach into their pocket and pull out their phone for some scrolling and explains that removing screens is part of the foundational mission of Kiama Unplugged. “We didn’t just want it to be about this kind of pledge for no smartphones, we wanted it to be about getting the community back together again and getting adults off their screens,” she said. “We all spend too much time scrolling and rotting our brains. “So it very much became wider than the phone pledge, but also about connection, community and real-life experiences.” The Unplugged phenomenon, which started out as a grassroots community movement in Kiama has now expanded to Berry, with Bourne and Harvey-George establishing a vision statement for Unplugged Australia leading the way for other communities to start their own local Unplugged groups. Part of Unplugged Australia’s vision is to reconnect in real-life, with community and nature - away from screens, promote sustainable and low tech living, support young people to branch away from screens and into authentic connections, establish local interactions that facilitate mindful experiences and foster inclusion and collaboration. There are three guidelines for Unplugged and screen time heads it up with connection and community closely followed, with some events being free for the group to remain accessible. Before the Unplugged After Dark event, Kiama Unplugged in collaboration with Grounded Education are holding a Spring Walk at Jerrara Dam for a morning of nature’s trails, wildcraft, nature’s art and connection. “We love linking up with local businesses where we can be supporting them as well and so we are really happy for them [Grounded Education],” Bourne said. “It’s aimed as a family activity and is probably aimed at families with younger kids. “And we are going to be collecting things like sticks and leaves, and then there is going to be a time to do some nature craft.”The Kiama Unplugged After Dark Event is on 23 October from 6pm at Cin Cin and costs $15 per person and includes a drink upon arrival. Bookings are essential. The Spring Walk with Grounded Education is on 19 October from 9:30am with a suggested donation of $10 per family. Bookings are essential.For those looking to get out and about this long weekend, there is a Kiama Unplugged event this Sunday 5 October at Fillmore’s plant-based, art and culturally focused café on Manning street, which is sure to match the temperature forecasted for this weekend.For Kiama Unplugged event information and links to booking sites, head to https://www.kiamaunplugged.com/events 

Kiama Council will temporarily close Jamberoo Mountain Road to all traffic from Monday to Wednesday next week to carry out emergency pavement repairs between Misty Lane and Barren Grounds.The road will be closed daily from 9am to 4pm during this period. Outside of these hours, Jamberoo Mountain Road will remain open to traffic. Traffic control measures will be in place to ensure safety for workers and road users.Alternative routes such as Macquarie Pass, Kangaroo Valley and Picton Road are recommended during the closure.The essential works are part of ongoing improvements funded through the NSW Government's Infrastructure Betterment Fund, aimed at restoring and strengthening infrastructure impacted by recent severe weather events.Motorists are reminded that heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses and caravans, are not permitted on Jamberoo Mountain Road at any time.

Local resident Fiona Smith is hosting a garden party fundraiser at Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club on Saturday 11 October from 10am to 1pm, with all proceeds supporting Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Action Australia.The morning tea event will host a variety of activities including raffles, vintage clothes, handmade crafts, plants, and plenty of food and treats. The relaxed event promises something for everyone all while supporting a cause important to Fiona.Fiona knows firsthand why this cause matters, after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and thinking she was through the hardest part, after six years, her cancer had returned and spread, becoming metastatic. Fiona says that MBC is treatable but not curable and with more people living with MBC, there needs to be more support and funding.“By having this event I want to get it out to the local community because I'm sure there will be people living with metastatic breast cancer but I don't know them because there's no support group here,” she said.“Raising awareness helps you realise, okay, it's not a great diagnosis, but I can still live a fuller life, however long that is, and there are people that will support me in that.”Metastatic breast cancer occurs when cancer spreads from the breast to other parts of the body, affecting an estimated 24,000 Australians. MBC Action Australia, launched in October 2024 and is the country's first advocacy organisation specifically for people living with MBC, filling a crucial gap in support services for this disease.The garden party aims to raise both funds and awareness in the local community, as Fiona is passionate about ensuring regional patients have access to the same level of support that people do in major cities.Fiona encourages anyone to attend the event, from people living with MBC, partners, carers, family and friends, to have a cup of tea, have a chat, or maybe raise their own awareness.More information about MBC Action Australia can be found at www.mbcaction.org.au.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the appointment of Andrew Constance as the new Chief Executive Officer.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips wrote to the Minister after Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former NSW Treasurer had won the race to fill the CEO vacancy.Phillips said the appointment "smacks of political bastardry" and she raised her concerns about his lack of experience at local government level with Hoenig.The Minister has responded by saying he has instructed the Office of Local Government to look into the matter.“Not only is the general manager the most important position, but it requires proven skills in management, finance and administration," he said. "I have requested the Office of Local Government conduct a preliminary investigation under the Local Government Act into the manner of the appointment.”Shoalhaven City Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis.Shoalhaven City Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis has added his voice to the chorus complaining about the former NSW Treasurer becoming Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.After fellow Councillor Bob Proudfoot criticised the appointment, Cr Krikstolaitis has issued a statement savaging Council for the way in which the Liberal Party stalwart was awarded the role.The Labor Councillor had concerns over Matthew Norris being removed from the selection panel as well as the fact that Constance was appointed without a unanimous vote and that his name had been leaked via social media during the interview process.“The entire process of selecting a CEO was flawed from the start,” Cr Krikstolaitis said.“From the removal of Cr Norris from the selection committee to the leak of Mr Constance's candidacy on social media and then to the process in the council chamber.“I am sorry to say that I cannot comment further on what happened in the chamber due to confidentiality rules.“It is highly unusual to elect a CEO without a unanimous vote. It is highly unusual for a candidate to turn down an offer after his name was leaked by persons unknown.”Cr Krikstolaitis has invited Shoalhaven City Council ratepayers to write to local state member, Liza Butler, and to councillors to voice their displeasure at Constance’s appointment.“The goalposts kept shifting and I do not believe we employed the best candidate,” he added.“I have nothing personal against Mr Constance, in my limited experience with him he seems like a decent man. But that doesn't make him qualified for the role of CEO.“There is a significant difference between a politician and a CEO. Political experience does not equate to being the executive with a half-billion dollar budget and hundreds of staff."The speed of which Mr Constance was placed in the role after the meeting has left no room for probity checks or any kind of response from the responsible people at the Office of Local Government. This is also highly unusual.“I do believe this to be a political appointment rather than one which is merit-based. I welcome any response from the OLG and higher authorities in investigating the circumstances and process involved in employing Mr Constance.“I do not believe that this appointment is in the best interests of the Shoalhaven.“I look forward to continuing the work that we have put in over the last 12 months to bring down the debt and get real infrastructure. I still think it can be done but I also think it just became a more difficult job.”After Robyn Stevens resigned in November 2024, James Ruprai held the role for eight months in an acting capacity before he also quit and Brian Barrett has filled in as an interim CEO since 31 July.Cr White said Constance brought more than 18 years of public service experience to the role, including as the NSW Member for Bega from 2003 to 2021 and holding several senior ministerial portfolios such as Treasurer of NSW, finance, transport and roads, industrial relations, ageing and disability services.Phillips declared she had has "lost all confidence" in the Mayor and Council after the appointment, saying it "smacks of political bastardry".Cr Proudfoot aired his concerns on ABC Illawarra on Wednesday morning by saying he had concerns about conflicts of interest and that there were candidates there that fitted the role more appropriately.NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused Labor of hypocrisy."He has exceptional skills, a Minister, a Treasurer at the most senior levels of government, he is the product of an executive search, and I understand the decision is the result of that executive search, a competitive process, and he has come out as the best candidate."

Brilliant spring weather greeted the Kiama Parkinson's Support Group for the Walk In The Park last Sunday at Black Beach.It was a great success with many people with Parkinson's joined by dozens of relatives and friends on the walk from the northern end rock pool to the boat ramp on the harbour before returning to their starting point.Local physiotherapist Matt Cook conducted a warm-up session before the walk began. It was great to see the age range from babies to folk in their late 70s participating on what turned out to be a beautiful day. Kiama Rotary Club ran a sausage and drink stall which was well supported by the walkers and sightseers on a gorgeous Sunday.A total of $3220 in funds raised from the Walk and a raffle are going to support people from our local area with Parkinson's.More than $7500 in sponsorship contributions from the Walk will be donated to Parkinson's NSW, which provides wonderful support to people with the disease, as well as their families and carers.

Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has declared she has "lost all confidence" in Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White and Council after the appointment of Andrew Constance as the new Chief Executive Officer, saying it "smacks of political bastardry".The Mayor announced on Tuesday afternoon that the former NSW Treasurer had won the race to fill the CEO vacancy.After Robyn Stevens resigned in November 2024, James Ruprai held the role for eight months in an acting capacity before he also quit and Brian Barrett has filled in as an interim CEO since 31 July.Phillips issued a statement to say that she would be raising her concerns about Constance's lack of experience at local government level with NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig."Because of that decision, I have lost all confidence in the Shoalhaven Mayor and Shoalhaven City Council, and will be writing to the NSW Minister for Local Government with my concerns," she said."Mr Constance has no local government employment experience."NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has gone into bat for Constance, accusing Labor of hypocrisy."That's a nonsense assessment. Andrew Constance is a former treasurer, a former Transport Minister working at the highest levels of government."If the Member for Gilmore is concerned about jobs for the boys, she should be talking about Josh Murray," he said in reference to the appointment of former Premier Morris Iemma's old chief of staff to an executive role with Transport for NSW in 2023."He has exceptional skills, a Minister, a Treasurer at the most senior levels of government, he is the product of an executive search, and I understand the decision is the result of that executive search, a competitive process, and he has come out as the best candidate."Phillips narrowly beat Constance in the 2022 federal election in a cliffhanger before the Labor incumbent won comfortably over her Liberal rival in May.Constance then announced he would be stepping away from politics but after what Cr White described as "a comprehensive recruitment process led by Council and supported by independent advisors, Stephen Blackadder Consulting", he will jump into the hot seat in Shoalhaven."During the 2025 federal election, the Shoalhaven Mayor, Councillor Selena Clancy and Councillor Jason Cox were actively supporting Andrew Constance," Phillips added."This smacks of political bastardry - there must have been other applicants on the merit list with local government employment experience."It reeks of 'jobs for Liberal mates', and does not pass the pub test."It is certainly not in the best interests of Shoalhaven ratepayers."Shoalhaven Councillor Bob Proudfoot aired his concerns on ABC Illawarra on Wednesday morning by saying "I do have concerns, I really do. I have concerns about conflicts of interest," he said. "There were certainly some political conflicts of interest that I believe maybe should be examined."I believe that there were candidates there that fitted the role more appropriately simply because of their local government experience."Cr White said Constance brought more than 18 years of public service experience to the role, including as the NSW Member for Bega from 2003 to 2021 and holding several senior ministerial portfolios such as Treasurer of NSW, finance, transport and roads, industrial relations, ageing and disability services."Andrew’s commitment to the Shoalhaven and his proven leadership make him an outstanding choice to guide our organisation,” the Mayor said in her announcement.“His deep understanding of regional issues, infrastructure, and community engagement positions him strongly to lead the Council into its next chapter.“We look forward to working with him to realise a bold vision for Shoalhaven - one that champions long-term financial sustainability while shaping a thriving, inclusive future for our entire community,” she said.Constance formally begins his new role next week and Cr White paid tribute to Barrett for his recent efforts on an interim basis.“On behalf of Council, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Mr Barrett for his leadership over the past few months,” Cr White said.“Stepping into the role during a challenging period, he’s made some tough but necessary decisions that have helped steady the organisation and set us on a clearer path forward."His commitment and professionalism have been greatly appreciated."

Paws were flying across the turf at Albion Park showground as 96 dogs competed at the South Coast Dog Training Club’s biannual Flyball competition on Saturday 27 September. With 17 teams and over 100 people gathering for the event, Flyball is one of the most exciting events on the dog sports calendar, combining speed and obedience training into a fun competition.Flyball, is a fast-paced canine sport where dogs race over jumps to a flyball box that they need to trigger to release a ball, then run back to their owner, all while being timed. Two teams of four dogs compete head-to-head in a relay race and the team with the fastest time and least amount of errors wins, with the fastest Division One teams completing runs in under four seconds.Flyball in actionOperating for over 50 years, the South Coast Dog Training Club (SCDTC) specialises in dog obedience training but also hosts events like Flyball, a dynamic and popular competition that showcases the results of dedicated training.The president of SCDTC, Fay Hull says that the club has been transforming dogs and helping owners for years, providing support and training every week. “We'll get at least one dog that's very reactive. And by that, I mean it's growling or barking at people or dogs. And we turn them around. It's amazing,” she said. Flyball“The owners have to turn them around, but what we do is we show the owners how to do it.”Saturday’s competition featured a diverse range of breeds from border collies to kelpies, poodles, and mixed-breed dogs, many of which are rescue dogs. The event brings together a wide variety of ages, as they all share a common interest in doing something they love with their dogs.The SCDTC has a lot of members from Kiama, Gerringong, and Jamberoo whilst being based in Albion Park but Fay says many people don’t know the club exists. “I talk to people and they say, ‘oh, there's a dog club at Wollongong’ and I'll say, ‘what about the one at Albion Park?’”Events like Flyball attract people from all over the Illawarra and NSW, but the club has around 150 members and anywhere between 25 to 55 members attending each week to the different sports the club holds. “We've really started to focus on helping people have dogs that are good family members and good community members that are obedient and tractable and friendly and sociable”. The SCDTC is a not for profit club, anyone is able to join, they have a membership fee each year, and it’s $5 per week to train.For more information about the South Coast Dog Training Club visit their website www.scdtc.org.au.

Transport for NSW has confirmed a temporary bridge beside Hampden Bridge has been identified as the preferred option as part of the project to restore a reliable crossing over the Kangaroo River.The single-lane modular steel truss bridge will be delivered in prefabricated sections and largely assembled onsite at Kangaroo Valley to provide medium-term access for vehicles up to 42.5 tonnes.Early investigations found detour options, including via Glenmurray Road, Upper Kangaroo River Road and Nerriga and Oallen Ford roads, were not viable due to significant environmental and property impacts as well as the time required to update or construct alternative roads.Detailed design and additional assessments are now underway, with timelines to be refined and funding to be secured as planning progresses. Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said the preferred option was the quickest option to deliver.Constructing the temporary bridge is expected to take a number of years.The NSW Government is investing $500,000 into early investigations for a new permanent bridge, and essential maintenance underway to keep the historic Hampden Bridge in service.Nine damaged timber beams along the top of the truss were replaced in August, while a more complex strengthening program to replace another 12 beams on the lower truss is scheduled for 2026.Aitchison said Transport for NSW would continue to engage with the Kangaroo Valley community as the project develops.“A temporary bridge option beside Hampden Bridge has been identified as the preferred way forward," she said.“This won’t be an overnight fix, but it is a major step to restoring stronger access for the Kangaroo Valley community and the freight and tourism operators who rely on this vital link.“At the same time, we’re safeguarding Hampden Bridge and investing in planning for a new permanent crossing – ensuring the community has a safe solution now and certainty for the future.”Incoming Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said residents have been waiting for certainty about a safe and reliable crossing.“The community has been clear about how important it is to get traffic flowing again, whether it’s families getting to school and work, or freight operators, farmers and visitors supporting local businesses," she said.“While planning for the permanent solution continues, this temporary bridge will provide real relief and reassurance that progress is being made."

Gerringong grandmother Anne Colquit is reaching out to the wider community to rally together and help support her daughter and son-in-law’s family, who have triplets in two different hospitals; one hour and a half apart, with one newborn suffering severe complications. Triplets Ada, Lillie, and Maggie were born six weeks premature on 19 August and it was not the most straightforward of pregnancies. When Louise was giving birth, it was discovered that the triplets were being carried in separate placentas – Ada and Lillie in one and Maggie in the other. “Maggie needed special care and she was in Wollongong and then she was moved back to Sydney because she was fitting [having seizures],” Anne said. Due to a shortage of beds, it means Louise must choose between where her time is spent most. Complicating this matter further is the fact that Louise and her husband Ste’s immediate family is spread out across the coastline of Sydney’s eastern suburbs all the way down the South Coast to Narooma. Anne explained Maggie has unfortunately suffered some brain damage (areas of dead brain tissue) as well as the seizures and has needed to be resuscitated on more than one occasion. “Nobody knows what’s wrong – she stops breathing,” Anne said. “It’s happened a few times in their [Louise and Ste’s] company. They’ve been cuddling her, and she’s stopped breathing. So, it’s very distressing, of course. “I haven’t even met Maggie yet. “Obviously the next few weeks are really critical for baby Maggie – we’re waiting for a miracle.” Anne has been able to spend time with Ada and Lillie, sharing the love of a grandmother with them.She told The Bugle that they are slowly meeting their milestones. “I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to spend that two and a half weeks after their birth, being there just to cuddle them and change them and feed them,” Anne said. “And I had both of them in my arms and I’d just sit there for a couple of hours and talk to them and sing to them.”Anne with Ada (left) and Lillie (right). Photo: Anne Colquit Louise and Ste are parents to four young children with four-year-old daughter Grace, who spends four days a week at child care, being understandably unsettled with the changes to her routine. “Between all of us, we’ve been helping with Grace, taking her on weekends and just trying to make her – she’s just been so unsettled,” Anne said. With Louise’s profession being that of a nurse, there is the understanding within the family that whilst it is difficult for the triplets to be separated from their mother, the beds in Randwick’s Royal Women’s Hospital are prioritised for newborns with higher needs. The family has set up a GoFundMe page, ‘Baby Maggie Needs Us! Please Help Her Family’, where Louise’s sister, Ally, has been providing updates to donators and followers. On 23 September, Ally shared that there have been meetings with doctors with continuous monitoring of Maggie’s brain activity, with episodes of apnoea and little answers and no end date in sight. There was good news with the speech pathologist confirming she can suck and swallow. Adding to the pressures on the Shaw family, Ste has been predominantly looking after Grace while upholding work commitments as an electrician, while also travelling between Wollongong and Randwick to support his wife and newborn triplets. For more information on how to donate and Ally's updates head to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/baby-maggie-needs-us-please-help-her-family  

Kiama Council has closed Surf Beach on Tuesday afternoon due to a shark sighting in the area.Lifeguards made the decision to close off the beach to ensure the safety of swimmers and the community. Beachgoers are urged to stay safe, and heed warnings from lifeguards on duty.The area is being monitored and Council has advised that the beach will be open again once it is safe to do so.Kiama's coastline is busier than usual this week after school holidays kicked off last Saturday.