Lake Illawarra fast bowler Jake O’Connell ripped through Oak Flats with a hat-trick on Saturday as the premiers romped to a seven-wicket win.O’Connell dismissed opener Kody Lawler for 10, trapped Sam McLennan first ball and then bowled Adrian Bartlett from the next delivery to complete the rare feat.He ended up with 6-30 from 9.2 overs as the Rats were bowled out for 136 despite a fighting 37 from captain Jack Bennett at Howard Fowles Oval.Lake surged to their modest target inside 15 overs with opener Max Henderson belting an unbeaten 74 from just 47 deliveries with 15 boundaries and a six.They have leapt into top spot after Shellharbour suffered their first loss of the season, going down to Kiama.Opener Adam Ison (45), Nathan Barr (51) and Brad Ison (48 not out) wielded the willow with gusto as the Cavaliers racked up 7-209.Harbour skipper Daniel Smith (49) and opener Jacob Coleman (38) provided early resistance but they went from 1-84 to all out for 143 with Brad Ison, Glenn Cleary and David Coleman snaring two wickets apiece.Bomaderry registered a 91-run win over the Kookas at Oakleigh Park after six batters made 20 or more.Tailenders Peter King (40) and Lachlan Duggan (27 not out) put on 44 for the last wicket as the Tigers posted 254 despite fine efforts from Kookas duo Gerard Healey (4-26) and Troy Tungai (3-60).The home side slumped to 3-31 and never threatened the total with Rhys Burinaga picking up superb figures of 7-48.At Sanctuary Point Oval, Bay and Basin edged out North Nowra Cambewarra in a tense clash.Jonathan McLennan top-scored with 38 as the Dolphins amassed 177 with Hyeon Parsons the pick of the visiting bowlers.North Nowra lost two early wickets and Elijah Guyatt (42) and Justin Weller (27) got them within striking distance but after a late collapse, they finished 35 runs short of victory.Albion Park left Ex Servos on the bottom of the ladder after a low-scoring clash at Keith Grey Oval.Joshua Peters came to the rescue with 37 as the Eagles posted 152 with Kuldeep Singh rana (4-21) starring with the ball for the Shoalhaven side.He backed up with 55 in the run-chase but had few allies as Ex Servos were rolled for 125 with Peters (3-26) and Matthew Burns (3-28) doing the main damage.This Saturday’s round features North Nowra at home to Lake Illawarra, Albion Park away to Shellharbour, Ex Servos hosting Bay and Basin, Bomaderry heading to Kiama and the Kookas clashing with Oak Flats at Oakleigh Park.Ladder: Lake 41, Shellharbour 37, Kiama 34, Bay and Basin 33, North Nowra 28, Bomaderry 24, Albion Park 16, Oak Flats 14, Kookas 12, Ex Servos 6.In the women's competition on Friday night, Oak Flats Ratettes batter Anne Boatswain smashed an unbeaten century in her team's win over Shellharbour.She hit 17 fours and three sixes in making 103 not out from 40 deliveries with young all-rounder Maya Huetter adding 62 in the total of 2-216.Harbour skipper Tammie Croker slammed 76 in reply but they fell a long way short on 4-158.Mel Nolan top-scored with 73 as the Kookas edged out Oak Flats Ratatouilles 158-143 despite Tahlia Pracy's 59 and 39 from Chloe Atkinson.Anne Boatswain after her ton. Photo: Oak Flats Cricket ClubChristine Dragovic bagged 3-5 for the winners. Kiama made 141 with Emma Ford contributing 52 but Albion Park reached their target for the loss of just one wicket with Breanna Carswell's 59 not out leading the way.Lake Illawarra posted 5-104 with Lilly Wilstrop hitting five fours in her 30 not out as they beat Ex Servos, who managed 6-68 with Willstrop, Lauren Payne and Alexandra Henderson chipping in with two wickets apiece.

The Zonta Club of Shellharbour-Kiama is hosting a community event on Tuesday 25 November from 10am at Shellharbour City Council to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.President Rita Sullivan said the event aims to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and highlight the local services working to support those affected.The morning will feature a panel discussion, keynote address, first responders and stalls from community support agencies, with morning tea provided.Zonta’s Director of Advocacy Jackie Edwards said the event is an opportunity for the community to stand together and learn how to take action.“This campaign reminds us that everyone has a role to play in ending violence against women and children,” she said.All are welcome to attend.

A man has been charged with 11 offences after wielding an axe during a tense stand-off with South Coast Police at South Nowra on Friday night.Shortly before 7pm, emergency services were called to a home on Holloway Road following reports a man had forced his way into the property.Attending officers were told a 24-year-old man was inside the home armed with an axe, and was preventing three occupants – a 53-year-old woman and two 49-year-old men – from leaving.Three other female occupants – aged 32, 41 and 55 – were able to exit the home prior to police arriving.Police established a perimeter and contacted specialist resources to assist.About 11.15pm, specialist police from the Tactical Operations Unit, Tactical Operations Regional Support and Dog Unit entered the home and arrested him.During the arrest, the man was bitten by a police dog and tasered.He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene for lower-body injuries before being taken to Shoalhaven Hospital under police guard.On Saturday, he was taken to Nowra Police Station, where he was refused bail and charged with 11 offences:Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVOSpecial aggravation break and enter and commit serious indictable offenceStalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal) (three counts)Wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harmStalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic) (three counts)Kidnap with intent commit serious indicticable offence occasion actual bodily harmAssault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harmThe 55-year-old woman was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for a minor arm injury, while both 49-year-old men were taken to Shoalhaven Hospital in stable conditions for treatment of minor upper body injuries.

Permanent Active Warning Signs will be installed along two notoriously hazardous roads – Jamberoo Mountain Road and Swamp Road next week (24-28 November). A total of seven high-visibility LED signs will be installed, with four located on Jamberoo Mountain Road and three on Jamberoo Road near Swamp Road.Kiama Council is completing the project with the help of funding provided through the Office of Local Government and the Department of Regional NSW’s Infrastructure Betterment Fund. These new signs will deliver real-time updates to drivers, displaying critical alerts such as “Road Closed” or “One Lane Ahead.” Mayor Cameron McDonald said the project would help motorists make informed decisions before reaching hazardous or impassable sections of the road.Both roads are well known for their frequent closures due to severe weather events, including flooding and landslips. As both routes are narrow and winding, it often leaves little to no safe opportunity to turn around once a hazard is encountered, putting drivers at unnecessary risk.“This is a smart and long-overdue investment in public safety," Cr McDonald said. "These signs will give residents and visitors advance warning, avoiding hours of frustration and risk on some of our most challenging roads.“We know how dangerous Jamberoo Mountain Road and Swamp Road can be during heavy rain or after storms. "These new signs will mean people can avoid driving into trouble in the first place."Unlike temporary signage, these permanently installed LED displays are always on standby and can be remotely updated, ensuring accurate and consistent communication, which is particularly critical during rapidly changing weather conditions.“It’s all about giving people the information they need to make safer decisions - especially when dealing with roads that can become dangerous very quickly,” Cr McDonald added.Residents are encouraged to check live traffic updates before travelling on high-risk routes, especially during or after heavy rainfall, and to always follow the warnings displayed on the signs.

Art and play come together in Material Matters, an engaging new exhibition by South Coast artists Robyn Sharp and Perrie Croshaw.Exhibition opening November 15 - photo Bellinda DunnThe exhibition brings together nature-inspired art and handcrafted pieces in a celebration of textures, care, and connection, featuring knitted, crocheted and tapestry wearables, and toys, displayed alongside vibrant artworks that celebrate the natural beauty of our local area.Visitors at the exhibition opening viewing the handcrafted works - Photo Bellinda DunnExploring the creative process as both expression and connection, the two artists draw inspiration from musician and artist Brian Eno’s words, “play is how children learn. Art is how adults play.”In that spirit, Material Matters invites audiences to rediscover the joy of making and the beauty that can be found in everyday materials."We could say that art is one of the key attributes of being human, like language," says Eno in his new book What Art Does.Artist Robyn Sharp at the official opening Saturday 15 November - photo Bellinda DunnSharp, a National Art School graduate with a degree in Art History, has exhibited in Sydney, California, Toronto and London.She runs a private gallery in Foxground, where she continues to explore her love of landscape and form.Her recent works delve into the ever-changing landscape around her through different media, including painting, drawing and sculpture.Guests at the opening of the exhibition November 15 - Photo Bellinda DunnCroshaw, a former journalist and tourism entrepreneur, has returned to her creative roots in retirement, designing vibrant, playful textiles that merge artistry with craftsmanship, designing knits, tapestry and crochet works.Artist Perrie Croshaw at the official opening November 15 - photo Bellinda DunnSharp and Croshaw invite visitors to experience the art of simply playing through their works at the Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) Gallery from Friday 14 to Thursday 27 November.The exhibition is open from 10am-5pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays.Exhibition opening - photo Bellinda DunnExhibition opening - photo Bellinda DunnExhibition opening - photo Bellinda Dunn

It was destination Sydney Town recently to celebrate my child's birthday.Off we trotted from Kiama to the Inner West, hitting frenetic suburbia and noting the many changes over the last umpteen years since we'd driven these particular roads.Definitely more traffic, road additions and chaos, but as we're told, that's progress.Venue for our brunch was an Italian eatery in Abbotsford, and from the very Federation-looking entrance, we entered a spacious hall, timber floored, with high, exposed ceiling trusses and richly hued lead-light panels serving as windows.Long timber tables filled the vast indoor dining space, inviting shared dining and outside, a balcony overlooking a rambling inner-city garden was also buzzing with those enjoying a cappuccino, or a mimosa, along with their sourdough and assorted yummy breakfast choices. Ambient indeed.The charm of this old but grand building led us to ask a waitress what its original purpose may have been. She said it was part of the old Nestle factory plant, at one time the largest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere.Built as a doctor's residence in 1878, Nestle purchased the property on Canada Bay in 1917, producing chocolate there until 1991, when most of the property was demolished.Legend has it that in those years, the whole of the suburb of Abbotsford smelled of chocolate, which to my mind would not have been a bad thing.Abbotsford House and its pavilion, both heritage listed, were spared from demolition. While the house is again privately owned, the pavilion, originally renovated by Nestle as a staff recreation area, is now the cafe where we were enjoying our brunch.I was floored.My first job after leaving University was for Nestle at their offices in Foveaux St, Surry Hills, a stone's throw from Sydney's Central Station.I began my career as a product manager, and for two years gained the knowledge and the experience that prepared me for my future as a small business owner.Abbotsford House. In all that time, I had never been taken to the chocolate factory at Abbotsford, had never seen the machinery or indeed the workings of what finally became a Chokito, or a Yogi Bear, or a Milky Bar.My job was all about wrapper design, point of sale, and market share. Along with Gannt charts. Ah, the joys of marketing.I had to bumble my way through the maze of figures and the terminology, after all I'd graduated with a degree in Drama and English, not business, but boy did I have fun in those first two years of actually earning a living, and it wasn't all about the chocolate, Nescafé coffee and Maggi seasoning.It was predominantly about stirring the living daylights out of my immediate boss, the very loud and very New York native Hank F, who'd been brought to Australia by the company to expand the chocolate division and increase sales.Twice my age, he and I nevertheless clicked. He had hired me, presumably because he admired the fact I'd walked the city streets trying to find employment, literally knocking on doors begging for a job.Carol presenting a not so high-tech meeting in 1976.A degree in Arts, even with Honours, didn't exactly open many doors.Hank painstakingly taught me the day-to-days, sent me back to Uni part-time to learn more, and promoted me in a very short space of time to travel to branches Australia wide, stirring up the sales force to get those profits rolling in.At last my dramatic skills were bearing fruit - I could put on a good powerpoint display, while acting through the whole presentation.The best part of our boss/employee relationship was that I taught him Aussie English.It was hilarious.For quite a significant part of the time, I couldn't understand much of what Hank said, his accent was so thick.And I would come out with Aussie slang, which completely threw him."Don't come the raw prawn with me Hank," I'd say, and he'd screw up his face."Give me strength", I'd wail, "I feel flat as a maggot". He'd screw his face up even more and scratch his head."I've been running around like a chook with its head cut off, Hank! So I'm going to shoot through like a Bondi tram, because you're a long time looking at the lid.”He loved it. Oh how he laughed when I got going with my exclamations! I was pretty precocious as a mere employee, but I think it brought him comic relief in what was at the time a very difficult, stultified office.He certainly learned Strine from me, which he lovingly and gratefully took back to White Plains New York at the end of his Aussie tenure. Best souvenir ever!Do you remember that fabulous quote from Rick in Casablanca: "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine?"I see similarities. Of all the cafes in Abbotsford … I hadn't thought of Nestle, or Hank, for years. Mere, wonderful chance enabled these memories to flood back and turn into this story, and for that I am most grateful.

Telstra customers in Albion Park will be experiencing disruptions on Monday due to upgrades to its mobile base station that services the area.The upgrades will improve the mobile site’s capacity, meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion.Telstra Regional Engagement Manager Christina Cawkell said mobile services in the area will be temporarily affected while the upgrade works are underway.“We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, whether you’re in the city or the country," Cawkell said. “As data use over our mobile network continues to grow, adding extra 4G capacity to our mobile site in the area will help deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion for customers. "The work will also make the site ready for a further upgrade to our even faster 5G in the future.“While disruption is required while the upgrade is underway, we’ll only be switching off the site when we need to and will have it back online and working better than ever as quickly as possible.”Telstra mobile customers will receive texts advising of the upcoming work.Landline services, NBN and Satellite internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically connect to another mobile network if available for connection to emergency services.The site will need to be switched off during the following periods:8 hours from 7am-5pm on Monday (17 November)up to 4 hours intermittent outages from 7am-5pm on TuesdayTelstra customers can continue to make calls and send texts during disruption to mobile services by switching on Wi-Fi Calling. This is a free setting on most popular mobile phones and allows your mobile to make and receive mobile calls while connected to Wi-Fi.Telstra also encourages business owners talk to their bank about connecting their EFTPOS terminals to their NBN or Wi-Fi connection to prevent delays in processing transactions.

The Bugle is pleased to present a fortnightly feature with Kiama High School, bringing you the latest news and events from the school.KHS Fest on againKHS Fest will be held on 8 December to celebrate the positive school culture that students and staff build together every day and recognise the successful completion of another school year.Coordinated by the Student Representative Council and held at school, it will include food trucks, activities, games, raffles, music and entertainment.The school wants to hear from any parents or businesses who would like to hold a stall at KHS Fest.Or if there are any local businesses, members of the school community or parents who are able to donate items, gift vouchers, etc for the raffles and prizes, that would be greatly appreciated by the school as well.Keep a look out for further information on the Kiama High School social media pages.Year 10 Science Excursion to IMARCKiama High School Year 10 students recently enjoyed a full and engaging day at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney along with students from nine other selected NSW schools.The day began with talks from geologists that sparked curiosity and prompted thoughtful questions about the variety of careers available in mining and resources. Students participated in a competitive exploration activity where they formed teams to simulate real-world mining decisions. With support from industry volunteers, they analysed geological, environmental and social impact data before pitching their projects to ‘investors’ to secure funding or social licence credits to develop their mine sites. The winning team struck gold, winning bars of chocolate as prizes.Students explored over 500 exhibition booths, interacting with robots, drones, and large machinery. One memorable experience was having the opportunity to hold a 20kg bar of gold and meet the Australian scientists teaming up with NASA to ground survey the moon in 2026.Movember momentousKiama High School is proudly taking part in Movember, a global movement raising awareness and funds for men’s health.From growing moustaches to moving for mental health, students and staff are stepping up to make a difference, helping to start important conversations about mental wellbeing, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.Kiama’s iconic lighthouse now sports a stylish Movember moustache on the school logo, reminding us all to shine a light on men’s health and look out for one another.

One of the highest achievements you can attain in cricket is a hat-trick when a bowler gets three wickets in successive deliveries. It is a rare event. It’s only been done 49 times in Test cricket history - Sachin Tendulkar alone scored more centuries (51) in his career than this infrequent feat.It is just as tough to achieve at any level of cricket.A double hat-trick is where you get four wickets in a row, and naturally this is even rarer. One sunny afternoon in 1967, Gerringong’s second-grade side was playing Lake Illawarra. Gerringong batted first and compiled 6-206. In reply, Lake were 2-30 and David Emery was bowling, with three deliveries to go in the over. Next ball he got a wicket. Then another and then another. A hat-trick to finish his over. Congratulations all round. A hat-trick usually means you get the ball mounted on a trophy to remember the event.Alas, Brian Arberry came on to bowl. With his first delivery, he got a wicket. Then another and yet another. Two hat-tricks in a row! Six balls, six wickets. Brian was not finished yet. With his fourth delivery he snared yet another wicket. A double hat-trick. Seven wickets in seven balls. So, Brian got the trophy with the ball mounted on it. The score went from 2-30 to 9-30 in the blink of an eye. Funnily enough, it took a while to get the last wicket but Gerringong won comfortably.Their amazing feats were even reported in a Sydney newspaper the next day.

Gerroa Environmental Protection Society and local residents are leading the charge around concerns over an increase in Gerroa Quarry production and the impact it will have on roads within the surrounding area. GEPS president Warren Holder has lived in the Kiama Local Government Area for around 40 years and told The Bugle that the principal concern is the pressure more trucks will have on the Gerringong and Gerroa areas. “When Cleary Bros owned it, they averaged 56,000 tonnes a year [product transport limit] and rarely hit the capacity,” Holder said. “Since Maas Group has taken over, they’ve hit 80,000 tonnes and now they want more [120,000 tonnes per annum].” The route the trucks would follow through Gerringong is heading north along Crooked River Road, onto Fern Street, through residential areas and left onto Belinda Street before heading onto the highway. “We’re getting 70% coming up this way [trucks through Gerringong],” Stephen Brazier from Gerroa said. “We need to keep in mind the effect on the residents of Gerringong and Gerroa, and of course all the patrons who use the caravan park during the holiday periods.” Mr Brazier warned The Bugle that the winding roads in the Gerringong and Gerroa areas, combined with an increase in the number of trucks, could lead to accidents. “Across the bridge [from Seven Mile Beach to Gerroa], up the hill and around past Gerringong Golf Course, there are those very sharp bends in the hill and one of the problems there is that you get lots of tourists towing caravans down there,” Mr Brazier said. “And while they’re distracted by the view, they might not see a truck coming around the bend that is taking up half the road.” The Bugle asked whether Mr Brazier would be open to a schedule for trucks to move through the town at a certain time and while he said he could not speak for the residents of Gerringong and Gerroa, “I would think that some improvements could be made if they’re going to insist on these trucks.” Mr Brazier and a group of residents exercised their democratic right and asked for the exhibition period to be extended. “We wrote to Carl Dumpleton who is the project manager for the Department of Planning [Housing and Infrastructure] on this project and we also asked Kiama MP Katelin McInerney to shoot off a letter to Paul Scully [NSW Minister for Planning],” he said. “As a result, we received a week extension – it would have been nice to get the two, but we only got one.  “What we did prior to [making those submissions] and after receiving the week extension, is to send out information to as many people as we can to let them know what is happening, so that they can choose whether they want to object or support it.”The Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure is collating submissions from a State Significant Development modification of the Gerroa Quarry – Gerroa Sand Production Increase project application. The Gerroa Sand Quarry, recently acquired by the Maas Group but still operating under Cleary Bros, is seeking to increase the annual product transport limit at the quarry to 120,000 tonnes per annum – a 50% increase from 80,000 tonnes. A truck waiting to leave the Gerroa Quarry. Photo: The BugleA report from the Kiama Council’s director of strategies and communities Ed Paterson recommends that Council endorse the increase from 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes per annum at next Tuesday’s monthly meeting.Kiama Council did not wish to make any comment when contacted by The Bugle. Maas Group did not respond to requests for comment.  The Environmental Protection Authority earlier this week announced SOILCO would be fined $30,000 after taking in more than 12,000 tonnes of mulch and garden waste above its approved annual waste limit at its Longreach composting facility west of Nowra.

With Christmas less than six weeks away, Gerringong Rural Fire Service unwrapped an early gift with a powerful Category 11 pumper ready for service across the region. Gerringong RFS captain Adam Walmsley, who has served for over 17 years, told The Bugle it was a privilege to be the first brigade to have access to the Tatra truck and provide feedback on the model. “It’s a significant step up for us in terms of functionality and capability,” he said. “It’s a Tatra, which is normally used in mining [in Western Australia] and often in the Czech Republic military - it’s a beast.” Greg Ball (left) Adam Walmsley (centre) and Annette Wright (right).Averaging around 140 call-outs a year, the new truck provides not only more power to negate the undulating landscape of the Kiama region, but a quicker response time. “It is much more powerful, it’s got adjustable ride height, inbuilt light mast, breathing apparatus in the back of the seats and the pump is a significant upgrade from what we’ve previously had,” he said. “It [also] means we can be getting ready on the way to a call-out and have BA [breathing apparatus] gear on and get out of the truck ready. “It’s saving two minutes on a call-out, but it does make a difference in a house fire situation.” In 2023, Fire and Rescue published research which identified critical factors in fatal house fires in NSW and one of the findings states “response time is a critical factor in saving lives, preventing injuries and mitigating fire extension”. “We also assist both Fire and Rescue and other RFS brigades, so we tend to work most closely with Foxground, Shoalhaven Heads and Jamberoo,” Walmsley said. “But as a primary village brigade, we’ve got responsibility for the primary response for Gerringong and Gerroa, so it is just as busy.” A feature of the new pumper truck is the adjustable height ride, which means work health and safety officers can breathe a sigh of relief. “When we all jump out in a hurry, it is not as big a fall,” Walmsley said. With a tank that can store up to 3000 litres of water to five hoses, it can be a challenge for the pump operators.  “You’re balancing water in and out and making sure that it never runs out, but also that firefighters always have got water,” he said. “You might have everyone using their hoses, so the pressure drops – and then everyone stops using it and the pump operator has to control it quickly, otherwise you can blow up hoses. “The pump is so powerful that if you’re not paying attention, it can all go berserk quite quickly.” Tatra trucks first entered the Australian market in the late 1990s through Larry Gill and his company Offroad Trucks Australia. For those looking to take up their civic duties and volunteer, Captain Walmsley says there are positions for volunteers at Gerringong RFS. “We’re recruiting again, so if anyone’s interested, they can apply online through the RFS website,” he said For more information go to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/join-the-nsw-rfs

When legendary Australian folk band The Waifs rolled into town for the recent Red Hot Summer Tour they had planned a pre-show lunch stop at Berry Bakery.The band - Western Australian sisters Donna Simpson and Vicki Thorne and Tuross Heads local Josh Cunningham - have been popping into the bakery for more than three decades on their way to Josh’s home town during east coast tours in their trusty van.“We would fang the Toyota Hiace early in the morning in time to hit the Berry Bakery after a show at the Wollongong Uni,” the Waifs recalled on their Facebook page after the beloved band’s recent gig at Berry Showground for the Red Hot Summer Tour.“It’s now 2025 and the Berry Bakery had a line that was too long for us before the show. Good for them! Keep baking away you mob cos we’ve loved your produce for years.”Lines were “out the door” across the town for the recent Red Hot Summer Tour concert, with Berry's population swelling by thousands and bringing an economic boon to businesses.Publicans at The Berry Hotel and Great Southern Hotel said bar staff were “run off their feet” and bistro bookings were at capacity.Crowded House. Photo: Henry KatzWith Crowded House headlining the festival and support acts including Vika and Linda Bull with Mark Seymour, Angus and Julia Stone and The Church along with The Waifs, the tour sold out within days of tickets being released.The Red Hot Summer tour will return to Berry in February with master storyteller Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, and Jess Hitchcock.And with the most recent event proving a hit with punters and local businesses alike, it is expected to again reach maximum capacity.A 2024 Live Music Census found long toilet, food and bar lines and delays entering and exiting concerts and festivals were the biggest turn-offs for fans.But Berry nailed it with the number of ladies loos almost double that of the men. Bars were plentiful and lines non-existent and while there were queues for food, the ability for people to bring their own snacks, from boxes of Cheezels to a cheese platter, meant no one left hungry.One festival-goer labelled it “the most civilised gig ever”. Another noted it was “unprecedented” for the men’s loo queue to be longer than the ladies at a festival.Neil Finn lights up Berry. Photo: Silvie MacdonaldWhile there were lines to exit the festival, concert-goers were patient for the most part and traffic management strategies were in place to ensure exiting the town and hitting the freeway was relatively smooth-sailing.The Red Hot Summer tours appear to be bucking industry trends, with a report by Creative Australia in April finding a downturn in the number of Aussies tuning in to homegrown music.The report noted although there was “a slight increase in live music attendance, industry revenue was mostly driven by international tours presented at major venues”.“In recent years music festival organisers have been faced with unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, regulatory changes and rising operational costs,” says Creative Australia.Challenges Kiama knows all too well. Two major festivals - Changing Tides and Folk By The Sea - recently pulled the pin on planned shows in a massive blow to the town’s event calendar.Both cited poor ticket sales with Folk By The Sea - a Kiama institution for more than a decade - saying the decision was necessary “due to the key challenge of attracting patrons from outside the area”.Aus rock icon Mark Seymour. Photo: Henry Katz Kiama Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee chair Matt Brown labelled the Changing Tides cancellation “a shame for the operators and the locals who love to see big headline acts in their own backyard”.He said major events were part of Kiama’s “destination marketing” and the cancellations of Changing Tides and Folk By The Sea would have a “significant impact on the Kiama economy”.It is estimated patrons spend around $300 during their stay, resulting in a more than $5 million dollar hit to the town’s economy after both festival cancellations.This figure is backed up by a cost-benefit analysis carried out by Australia's Live Music Office, which found that for every dollar spent on live music in Australia $3 worth of benefits are returned to the wider community.The Creative Australia report found Australian music festivals are experiencing “a period of significant adaptation, facing changing patterns of audience behaviour and later purchasing of tickets”.Berry Showground was packed when The Waifs opened the concert. Photo: Henry Katz

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said Kiama needs in-fill development in the form of multi-storey buildings to solve the housing crisis which has engulfed the area.After revelations last week that there could be a residential building as high as 14 storeys in Kiama’s town centre, Scully said the NSW Government was responding to the wishes of local residents who did not want to see new housing estates swallowing up the green hills that make the surrounding region so picturesque.“Kiama residents have previously expressed a desire not to see extensive greenfield development – that means that additional density needs to be seriously considered if Kiama’s housing pressures are to be relieved,” Scully told The Bugle.“There is no part of NSW that is not in need of more housing. “Every part of the state has to do their part in addressing our housing supply challenges, including Kiama.“Infrastructure considerations are part of the state-led rezoning that brings all agencies to the table. “The Minns Labor Government has also reformed state infrastructure contributions so that funds are available to assist in delivery infrastructure.”The Level 33 proposal for Akuna Street is causing plenty of angst in the local community - the developers and Kiama Municipal Council are currently engaged in a legal battle which will resume in the Land and Environment Court in mid-December.Level 33 plans to turn the old Kiama Independent site into a multi-storey commercial and residential building and has submitted an Expression of Interest to the Housing Delivery Authority for a 32.5 metre development at the eastern end of Akuna Street.Its proposal is still in the early stages of planning but if it is approved by the HDA, it could be declared a State Significant Project by the Minister, which would pave the way for the developers to make it a 14-storey behemoth which would dwarf the town centre, against the wishes of Kiama Council, which wants a limit of seven storeys.The HDA is an optional pathway with strict criteria and all projects go through a full merit assessment process, including community consultation.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, in his column for The Bugle, said the new planning pathway “enables concurrent rezoning to circumvent local planning controls, removes Council from decision-making and limits our community’s voice to a submission - that’s not good planning”.Katelin McInerney in NSW Parliament. He added that Council had written to the NSW Government to express their concerns about the process and that “Kiama’s future should not be dictated by Sydney-based planners and bureaucrats”.Kiama MP Katelin McInerney, who last week said she “shares the community’s concerns” about the Level 33 proposal, used her maiden speech in NSW Parliament on Wednesday to highlight the issue."It is imperative that we build communities, not just put up more houses," she said."Infrastructure must come online alongside growth, ensuring we have the resources, facilities and services in place to support our residents at every stage of life."We must plan sensibly, in a way that respects and protects our beautiful natural environment, so we hold onto our wonderful sense of community and the character that makes this place so special."I'll work relentlessly and with all levels of government to achieve this.Paul Scully and Katelin McInerney. "I will be a strong advocate for the investment, forward planning and sustainable solutions our region needs to thrive now and into the future."The NSW Government’s landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 passed both houses of Parliament on Tuesday.NSW Premier Chris Minns said the Bill was the most significant overhaul of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in a generation, modernising the foundational legislation of the state’s housing, jobs, infrastructure, and energy delivery.Minns said the planning system had grown overly complex and slow, holding back the delivery of new homes, job-creating investments and adding unnecessary costs and delays to the construction pipeline. These reforms will help clear the bottlenecks and make the system work for communities, councils and builders, according to the Premier.“For too long, NSW has been held back by a system that was slow, complex and out of step with the necessity to deliver more homes for those who need them,” Minns said.“These reforms will help us build more homes faster, in the right places, giving young people and families the chance to access a home.”Scully said the “overwhelming support of the Parliament for the Bill demonstrates a shared commitment to tackling NSW’s housing challenges and enabling a modern economy”.“This Bill will enable a planning system fit for the 21st century, one that supports housing and energy delivery, encourages job creation, investment and builds better communities.”Recently appointed Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Chris Rath said he was concerned that the NSW Government had not sufficiently invested in infrastructure to cope with Kiama’s soon-to-be rapidly increasing population.“Kiama is one of the most beautiful and liveable parts of all of Australia and more people should be given the opportunity to call it home,” he told The Bugle. “Young Australians will increasingly be squeezed out of the housing market unless we build more supply. “The Minns Labor Government needs to explain how they will be funding and delivering more infrastructure and services in Kiama to keep up pace with this population growth. “They’re not off to a good start when about a quarter of all trains travelling to Wollongong and Sydney are running late.”Kiama Council is working in partnership with the Planning Minister for the redevelopment of its two-hectare depot site further south on Shoalhaven St, opposite the Bowling Club.Council is aiming to build new buildings between six and eight storeys with 450 residential homes and the proposal is on public exhibition until Wednesday, 3 December.Three local drop-in sessions were held this week at the Joyce Wheatley Centre and Kiama Farmers Market for residents to provide feedback on the Shoalhaven Street Precinct plans.

Kiama Council’s decision to increase parking patrols and the installation of boomgates at Kiama Shopping Village has sparked plenty of local debate.Council has announced that two dedicated parking rangers are now in operation throughout the local government area with more parking infringements set to be issued in a bid to alleviate the problem of motorists disregarding the time limits for street parking.The new parking system at the Shopping Village means motorists receive three hours of free parking but will be charged $10 for every subsequent hour.Kiama’s community has expressed mixed feelings about the new measures. Some local workers and residents say the current parking limits make it difficult for employees and visitors to enjoy Kiama without worrying about fines, while others say it’s time to crack down on the issue.Lau Amadeo, owner of Westend Coffee Lab, said more inspectors would help keep parking fair for everyone.“I think more inspectors is definitely a good move from Council. It’s needed because the parking restrictions are not getting respected,” Amadeo said.He touched on the new boomgates at the Shopping Village car park, located across the street from his cafe, saying they were also a reasonable change.“They’re still allowing customers to park there for three hours for free, which is essentially what they do in other suburbs like Wollongong, but I don’t see a big issuewith that,” he said. “If you’re looking to park your car all day, you might have to find a side street. If you want to park on Terralong Street, you shouldn’t be leaving your car there all day.”Amadeo said there is parking available nearby if people are willing to walk a short distance.“Nobody was respecting time restrictions,” he said. “I park there daily, and my staff parks around the area too - just a bit further up. Obviously, it’s becoming an issue as more people live in and visit Kiama, but the boomgates and more parking inspectors aren’t a big problem. “It’s something that’s been done in many suburbs, and it works.”At the other end of Terralong Street, KG Cafe owner Darren Ormsby expressed concern about the impact on workers and customers.“I get here at five o’clock in the morning and won’t leave until about nine o’clock at night. So where do they expect us to park?” said Ormsby. “I believe every business owner should get some sort of parking exemption. I’d be happy to pay a couple of hundred dollars a year for it. We already pay for outdoor dining, so why can’t we as business owners pay for parking instead of getting fined?”But there isn’t always a simple yes or no response. Another local business owner, who asked to remain anonymous, voiced their feelings of conflict.“I think it’s probably a good idea, because some people do park in spots all day,” they said. “But we do want our customers to be able to park out front.”Others fear the increased enforcement will drive visitors away from spending time in town.“I think it discourages people from staying,” said Emily Markowski from Anglicare Op Shop.“People will be in and out and that’s it. As a result, the whole local business district will suffer. I think visitors will suffer too.”Kiama resident Evie Stein, who works on Terralong St, said parking and transport issues go beyond enforcement.“There’s next to no public transport and minimal parking, so where do workers park? It’s fine to enforce rules, but the rules are wrong. There’s a lot that could be done to improve the situation. It’s a poor show for infrastructure,” she said.More concerns arise as residents worry the changes could take away from Kiama’s small-town charm.“The whole point of having people come down from Sydney is so they don’t have to pay for parking,” said another local worker, who asked to remain anonymous. “We’re a small community; we don’t need that. What’s next - they’re going to put traffic lights in?”With the holidays around the corner, some local shop owners believe the increased presence of inspectors could discourage shoppers during the festive season.“It puts people off Christmas shopping if there’s too much of [the inspectors’] presence. If Council had provided enough parking, then there would be no problem,” another business owner said.Kaye Julian, of Coastal Fusion Kiama, said customers often worry about being fined while shopping.“People come in here all the time asking if they’re going to get booked at the front or not,” Julian said. “They always ask that question because parking is only half an hour. People stay longer than that, but there’s nowhere else to park.”While opinions vary, most agree that parking in Kiama has become a growing challenge - whether the solution lies in more enforcement, more space or simply more patience. 

Landcare Illawarra is calling on local residents to connect with the natural world at Jerrara Wetlands and Rainforest Reserve.Picnic for Nature will be held this Sunday from 8am to 1pm as part of the Nature Conservation Council’s statewide celebration.Landcare Illawarra has partnered with Kiama Council to form a new volunteer group that will help manage the reserve, with plans to begin work later this year.Everyone is welcome to bring family, friends, and a picnic to enjoy a day surrounded by nature. An engaging line-up of guided walks and talks is planned for visitors.The 54-hectare reserve is located on Mt Brandon Road, between Kiama and Jamberoo. The site was once home to the Jerrara Dam, part of an early water supply scheme that never worked as intended. The dam was recommissioned in the 1950s, and over time, the area transformed into a haven for native birds, becoming a popular birdwatching destination.In 1996, Kiama Council prepared a management plan to preserve and enhance the reserve’s natural features. Decades of regeneration along the creeks, supported by Council and volunteers, have turned Jerrara into one of the few freshwater wetland habitats on the South Coast. It now supports more than 179 bird species and offers visitors the chance to experience nature in a low-impact, environmentally sustainable way.“It’s an open community space where anyone can come and enjoy the environment,” Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association secretary Ros Neilson said. “This includes bird watchers, walkers, and people who just want some peace and quiet in the green open space.”Activities begin at 8am with a bird identification walk led by the Illawarra Birders, exploring one of the South Coast’s most species-rich sites. At 10am, local plant expert Carl Glaister will guide visitors through the rainforest species and arboretum plantings that make Jerrara unique.At 11am, botanist and ecologist Kevin Mills will lead a plant ID walk. The reserve contains stands of the endangered Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest, two threatened plant species, and several regionally rare ones. At noon, a group information session will introduce the new Landcare site near the dam viewing platform, where visitors can learn how to get involved in caring for the reserve. Experts will also share insights on Citizen Science projects supporting local biodiversity, including Alison Mellor from Invertebrates Australia, who will present Bug Hunt and Bugs in My Backyard.Organised volunteer groups also use the reserve for training and conservation activities.John Friedmann, JVRRA chair and Landcare volunteer, said the Rural Fire Service had used the area as a wilderness training site for several years.“It’s good for us because it’s isolated,” Friedmann said. “We can make a fair bit of noise and not disturb any people, whereas we can’t do that around Jamberoo because people get a bit disturbed when they hear the noise of pumps and sirens.”Over the years, various ideas have been floated for the site — from a fishing spot to a concert venue, and most recently, a “glamping” site.Neilson recalled a moment that spurred community action.“There was one councillor who put up a question for notice at Kiama Council business papers: ‘Could you give reasons why the Jerrara Reserve should not be sold at auction?’ When the community saw this, we thought we need to make sure that there are other voices heard,” Neilson said.In response, the ratepayers gathered representatives from RFS, Landcare, WIRES, bird observers, naturalists, bush regenerators, and botanists to discuss the reserve’s future.“The overwhelming vote was to preserve and enhance the environmental qualities,” Neilson said. “There were no other wetlands in the Illawarra area, besides one small one in Spring Creek.”The Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service  (WIRES) has recently been given permission by Kiama Council to lease a small area of land near the gate for a new wombat joey enclosure.“They’re normally taken care of by their mothers for a couple of years, but the mothers have been killed on the roads,” Neilson said. “They get the surviving joeys, and once they’re ready, put them into a state-of-the-art enclosure to practice safely learning how to be grown up.”The space will allow the young wombats to burrow and forage safely, away from the built environment — a project Neilson described as “a big investment” made possible through Council’s support.Sunday’s event is free and open to everyone, though registration is required for guided walks. Those attending only the picnic can register at: humanitix.com/jerrara-wetlands-and-rainforest-picnic-for-nature-2025.

If you’re looking for a unique gift this Christmas, the Kiama Old Fire Station is the place to be.Until Wednesday (19 November), the Shellharbour City Arts Society is hosting The Spirit of Giving, a quick exhibition showcasing works by 12 local artists.Visitors can browse the gallery from 9am-5pm, with extended hours on Saturday. The official opening will feature a chance to meet the artists at 12pm on Saturday.Illawarra printmaker Jenine Bailey has been refining her craft since discovering printmaking in 2013.Known for her meticulous lines and tonal detail, Bailey draws inspiration from the Shellharbour region and beyond.“I go into Port Kembla every week, there’s a print studio there with all traditional printing machines and etch metal places - all sorts of things to produce images,” Bailey said. “We’ve got a range of different techniques out there and really cheerful images, which would be lovely to give as gifts, and the prices are also very nice. "You usually don’t get art for Christmas, so it would be a nice surprise.”Kiama-based artist Susan Alexander brings the sea to life on her canvases. Inspired by morning walks along Surf Beach where she resides, she uses vibrant colours and a mix of materials, often found on the beach, to capture the ocean’s textures.“I like different textures and I like the way acrylic paint moves on the canvas,” Alexander said. “I reject the notion of painting like a photograph— I’m striving to evoke the essence of the ocean in its purest form.” Her work reflects a lifetime connected to the sea, from growing up on a dairy farm at the base of Illawarra escarpment, to years spent yachting across the Mediterranean and Caribbean.The Kiama Old Fire Station, a community gallery owned by Kiama Council and operated by the artists who hire the space, regularly hosts exhibitions by individual artists or collectives. Each show offers a unique window into the local creative community.This festive season, support local artists and give a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is beautiful.

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has gone on the front foot after community backlash to the proposal to build a 14-storey development in the town centre.Cr McDonald issued a statement on Friday to explain that Kiama Council is opposed to the Level 33 development being allowed to go any higher than the seven storeys that they had approved. There is potential for that height limit to be doubled by the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority and Council, which is engaged in a legal battle with Level 33, will effectively be sidelined from the approval process if the project is declared a State Significant Development by Planning Minister Paul Scully."Let me be absolutely clear. As Mayor, I do not support 14-storey buildings anywhere in Kiama. They are far too high and completely out of character for our town," he wrote."Council has written to Minister Paul Scully to communicate the community’s concerns — and I encourage residents who share those concerns to do the same. I will be tabling our letter publicly at our next Council meeting.There are proposals in the pipeline for 14-storey and six-storey developments at either end of Akuna Street as well as a three-storey commercial and residential building to replace the car park on the southern side of the street.Cr McDonald pointed out that Council is currently involved in a Local Environmental Court case brought by developer Level 33 regarding its Development Application."Council is defending its planning controls, which found the DA too high, too bulky, and raised traffic concerns. When summonsed, Council is legally obliged to defend its position. We hope this matter will be resolved soon," he added."Separately, Level 33 has asked the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority to declare the site a State Significant Development and permit a 14-storey building. This is a matter for the NSW Government and the Minister, not Council."Complicating matters is the fact that Council is pushing ahead with a joint project with the State Government to rezone the Shoalhaven Street Precinct, the Council-owned land opposite Kiama Bowling Club, including the Works Depot, which is currently zoned as industrial."Council resolved to rezone this land from industrial to residential under our adopted Local Housing Strategy. The NSW Government has now declared the rezoning project State Significant, which Council has welcomed," Cr McDonald wrote. "No development can occur until rezoning is complete. No DA has been lodged. In simple terms: this is about changing the zoning, not approving any buildings."Images shown during the NSW Government’s exhibition are illustrative only. They do not represent approved designs or heights. "Detailed planning — including building heights, design, traffic, parking and public consultation — will occur later through the normal DA and DCP processes."I understand people are anxious as there will be change to that site, so it’s important that the process is clear and that the community is consulted."Council wants to see a 450-home residential community for the land bordered by Shoalhaven, Barney, Belvedere and Noorinan streets.The Shoalhaven Street Precinct rezoning proposal is being led by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and is on public exhibition until 3 December.Cr McDonald is encouraging local residents to have their say via www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au.

The saga of Kiama Council's sale of five Glenbrook Drive lots is finally over.All five of the lots, which were connected to power, water and sewerage, have now been sold for a cumulative total of around $4.3 million after they were initially passed in at auction in late October.Exchange and settlement will occur in the coming weeks.The Council-owned land was put up for sale after years of negotiations to cut through bureaucratic red tape to have a long-standing covenant removed by the NSW Government.The covenant was placed on the land in 1991 because it was deemed too close to Bombo Quarry but many other houses have been built in the cul-de-sac, a three-minute drive west from the Kiama town centre.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the sale marked a major milestone for Council’s land strategy and financial sustainability.“Getting the covenant lifted so we could put these five blocks on the market was a huge achievement in our Council’s Advocacy Plan."Selling the properties so that local families can build and live here is also another small step towards achieving our housing targets.”Council CEO Jane Stroud said she was delighted with the sales, including one to a local nurse who had been keen to buy in the LGA.“Knowing this property has sold to a local key worker so they and their family can put down roots in our fabulous LGA is so satisfying."This is what makes our job worth doing.“Once again, we thank the NSW Government for their assistance in getting the covenant lifted so we could achieve market prices for these lots."This success reflects sustained effort across multiple elected councils, including the work of dedicated staff, Councillors past and present, and key partners across government.”

Minnamurra Progress Association is calling for greater consideration from all levels of government surrounding the environmental impact from the development surrounding the new Shellharbour Hospital in Dunmore. At last week’s MPA meeting, members aired their concerns regarding the new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy proposed by the NSW Government and the potential run-off from construction at the hospital site into the nearby Minnamurra River. “The thing that really concerns us is the effect of the new development,” MPA assistant secretary Cliff Mason said. “Hard surfaces, stormwater run-off and the build-up particularly in long-term rain events. “There’ll be a lot of run-off into the nearby catchment area of the Rocklow Creek and the Minnamurra River - that is a major concern to our association.”A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI) said that the department enforced conditions on the Shellharbour Hospital development as part of its approval “to safely manage and mitigate any environmental impacts during construction and operation”. “Any additional development in the area will be required to consider potential water quality issues as part of the rezoning and development application process, prior to any approval being issued,” the spokesperson said. Jacqui Forst, who is also a member of the MPA, told The Bugle that there were concerns not only about the potential housing development in the Dunmore area, but also the nearby sand mine. “It needs to be assessed on all the things that are impacting the river to be future focused,” Forst said. “The river catchment is under enormous ecological stress from the [Dunmore] Boral sand mine, but the new threats that will come from the sewage substation and the storm water run-off from the 450 new homes is significant.” The MPA previously raised the issue of the environmental threats to the Minnamurra river to The Bugle in August during the Kiama electorate by-election where they also held a community forum for six of the 13 candidates - including Katelin McInerney, where candidates gave a speech and answered questions.   Mason said the MPA was “strongly opposed” to the sand mining that is being undertaken beside Riverside Drive and over the back of Dunmore House.The sand that is mined from this quarry and others in the Illawarra is predominantly used for construction purposes.  “We’ve also expressed concern in the lead-up to the start of the construction of the new Shellharbour Hospital about stormwater,” Mason said. Forst does not believe the MPA’s stance is that of a NIMBY (Not In Our BackYard) perspective and she is perplexed as to why there isn’t greater advocacy for the protection of the Minnamurra River from the three levels of government. “Anyone who is a visitor to the Kiama area knows Minnamurra – it is put on the front of all the PR campaigns for Kiama Council and Tourism NSW,” Forst said. “During any weekday you will see a myriad of tourists who come on the train and drive to witness this beautiful coastal ecosystem. “It is also a place of urban respite as both our population grows in Shellharbour and Kiama the Minnamurra River is being used by families to swim, relax and to get away – it is free. “The mangroves in the saltmarshes are under enormous threat of degradation.”   It was announced at the end of October by the NSW Government that it is pursuing two major rezonings in Shellharbour which would build approximately 5700 new homes - 5000 in the Shellharbour City Centre (state-led) and 700 new homes in the New Shellharbour Hospital Precinct. The coastal erosion along the Minnamurra River. Photo: SuppliedIt is expected the homes in the New Shellharbour Hospital Precinct will be put up for public exhibition in 2026.The DPHI is preparing studies to inform the rezoning proposal for the surrounding precinct, which will deliver complementary housing and employment opportunities.The Department is engaging with Shellharbour City Council and state agencies, including NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water prior to exhibition of the plans for the precinct.