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.

As we move towards summer, lawn becomes a bit of a premium in the garden. Everyone loves a good patch of green, but sometimes lawns don’t quite do what we want them to.Maybe you’ve got a lawn that’s looking a little distressed. It might be quite compacted - the soil’s hard, and if I were to try pushing my knife into it, it’d be tough going. Underneath, it’s very dry, with not much moisture at all - and that’s often why lawns start to struggle.Sometimes they’ve also been cut too low, and that doesn’t help. You might notice broadleaf weeds starting to creep in - bindis, cats’ ears, or even a bit of fleabane around the edges.So what can we do about that?A good place to start is with a weed and feed. The one I’ve got here is for buffalo lawns, but make sure you always use the right herbicide for your lawn type if you’re trying to control broadleaf weeds.With a dry, compacted lawn, I’d go for a bit of a renovation to relieve that compaction. You can do that with a garden fork, working your way along the lawn to open it up, or you can use a scarifier if you’ve got one. Once that’s done, raise your mower height, give the lawn a good water, and apply your weed and feed. That’ll help control weeds while giving the grass some nutrition to grow back nice and strong.Now, let’s take a look at what a good lawn should look like.A healthy lawn has a nice sward length - about 35mm is ideal. That height keeps the lawn lush and green, and it’s the sort of lawn your neighbours will envy. There shouldn’t be any broadleaf weeds in there if it’s looked after well.When mowing, just take the top leaf surface off - don’t scalp it. If you’re seeing white patches, you’re cutting too low. Keep the mower height high, around that 35mm mark, and you’ll end up with a lovely, soft lawn that’s perfect to walk on or to sit back and enjoy on a lazy summer afternoon with a cold drink in hand.Another important part of lawn care is top dressing. You don’t always need to do it, but if you’ve got areas that have sunk or slumped a little, now’s the perfect time.Here we are in spring, and all you need to do is apply your top dressing - you can grab some engineered soil from your local nursery or garden centre. Burnetts on Barney stock great material for this. Spread it evenly across your lawn and use the back of a rake to level it out and remove any bumps.The grass will push through the top dressing, and before long you’ll have a flat, even, vibrant lawn that’s easy to mow and great to enjoy all summer long.Top dressing - now’s the time to do it!

Lake Illawarra Police are investigating after an elderly man’s body was discovered near Kiama rock pool at Pheasant Point on Friday morning. Emergency services were called to the area just to the north of the black beach rock pool around 8.30am. Shoalhaven Street emergency vehicles and rescuers in attendancePolice are yet to announce details about the man’s death. The SES and NSW ambulance crews also responded to the incident. The man was pronounced dead and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. 

Sit back and relax while reading this week's edition of The Bugle, filled with a wide range of news and views from our local South Coast community.Our top story centres on the feedback from the community to last week's revelations that a 14-storey development could be on the way for Kiama's town centre.READ THE DIGITAL EDITION HERENSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has had his say, along with Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Chris Rath, who also details his thoughts on how the local housing market should evolve.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.You can also read plenty of great community stories including an 82-year-old from Gerringong giving much younger fitness competitors a run for their money, the commemorations for Remembrance Day and efforts to preserve the Jerrara Wetlands.In sport, you can read about Lucy Darragh's win in Taiwan,young surfer rewriting the history books with the Jones Beach Boardriders and all the latest in South Coast cricket.

The gardens at Peace Park have fallen victim to yet another theft.Illawarra Rose Society’s Colin Hollis was heartbroken when he arrived at the site on Tuesday morning to discover multiple flowers had been carelessly uprooted in an act he calls “pure vandalism”.Colin Hollis at Peace Park.Hollis, who is also the NSW Rose Society president, said the local volunteers were fed up with hoodlums engaging in this kind of antisocial behaviour. The Rose Society is torn on what to do to remedy future incidents, believing that the installation of fencing and surveillance cameras would detract from the park’s aesthetic appeal.“What’s the point of having a rose garden if you’ve gotta climb over barbed wire to get to it?” Hollis said. “We’re wondering if it’s worthwhile [having] us continue with this and putting effort into it if this is the result.”The park suffered a similar string of incidents last year.This time, the damage included three Pierre De Ronsard roses and the St Patrick display, which commemorates the historical link between Northern Ireland and Kiama.“It’s disappointing to see vandalism,” said Rose Society member Grahame Commins. “It’s a pleasure for a lot of people, I reckon it’s the hidden gem of Kiama.”If anyone has information about the latest incident, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It seems that all the town can talk about is growth, housing and (over?)development.News over the past week of multiple high(er)-rise proposals in Akuna Street and a Council-led initiative at the Kiama Depot in Shoalhaven Street has sparked a veritable frenzy of conversations in town and across social media. In the last term of Council, it would have been unfathomable to hear our elected officials (whether at the state or local level) spruiking an eight-storey development just outside of the town centre. How times have changed. We at The Bugle genuinely admire the leadership of Mayor Cameron McDonald. It’s been a year of challenges and redressing inherited issues from the former Council, culminating in the very controversial Local Housing Strategy earlier this year and another round of consultation for the Employment Lands Strategy to close out 2025. It’s well and good to finalise strategy after strategy knowing all too well that the process of development approval and construction could take years, or in the case of Bombo Quarry, decades to come to fruition. It's a completely different equation to spend money purchasing a strategic landholding, particularly when finances are tight, then identify that landholding for future development, and then partner with the State Government to deliver a fast-tracked rezoning outcome. And with a 30m or eight-storey height limit (the highest in the local government area) to boot! When the enlarged Kiama Depot site is eventually sold to a developer to deliver 450 dwellings (including 10% affordable housing) it will likely be a bonanza for Council’s coffers. The cynics among us might look at the fizzer of the Glenbrook Drive land auctions, or the current travesty that is unfolding at the Akuna Street carpark site as poor or mismanaged outcomes. But it’s not often that something of this size comes to the market, at a scale that is three times the Akuna Street carpark development. Kiama MP Katelin McInerney took it upon herself to spruik the merits of the proposal by posting to a local Kiama Facebook group. Cue outbursts, outcry and outrage. This is certainly what we expected and to an extent, what we got from the community. And rightly so! In the context of developments along Akuna Street, CEO Jane Stroud told The Bugle “the look and feel of Akuna Street … is going to profoundly change”. Surely, she would have to say the same for Shoalhaven Street, too. But after the weekend and some time for the news to make its way from door to door, Council would be chuffed at some of the commentary that is emanating from the community and its views on development. Comments noting the need to encourage the creation of local jobs (particularly for our youth), finding carers for our ageing population, and places for those aged care workers to live, are threads of progressive thinking that within our community. It’s certainly not the absolute majority, but we’d hazard a guess that it might be closer to 50-50 issue than most think. Ultimately, proof will be in the pudding, or the planning process as it were.McInerney has also foreshadowed that the future development application to allow for construction to begin will likely be a State Significant Development, again, effectively sidelining Council from determining the outcome.Ultimately, this approach allows Council an effective “it’s not us” defence. In fact, the only way to stop development from occurring is for Council to completely abandon a future sale of the site, which is clearly not happening.While there are some significant development proposals that have been out of Council’s control, the depot is truly by their own design and profound change is indeed coming to town. The Bugle’s View this needs to be a profoundly positive change.

The new Shadow Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast, Chris Rath, believes the Coalition can alleviate the housing problems in the region if they can get back into government. Rath recently stepped into the role, taking over from Deputy Liberal Leader Natalie Ward and the Wollongong-born Upper House MP is adamant the Coalition has the policies to solve the widespread issue. The Coalition will have to wait until early 2027 before the NSW electorate goes back to the polls but Rath said their recently announced policy of stamp duty concessions for downsizers was the kind of action needed.“We have this situation at the moment where there's a lot of older people that are in large houses that want to downsize - empty nesters,” he said.“But they would be hit with a huge stamp duty bill if they were to move to the next place. And it's often a disincentive. “And it means that those houses aren't then put on the market for younger Australians to buy. “I think is a really positive policy because, particularly in the Kiama area, housing is such a massive issue. It's incredibly expensive.”Rath supports development in town centres as the appropriate place for extra density.“You've got to get the balance right. And you've got to bring the community with you,” he said.“It's not unreasonable for people to want the infrastructure to keep pace with housing supply and for them to want to be consulted in the process. “We do need more housing everywhere. We can't just oppose all housing and say that our own community must look exactly the same today as it did 50 years ago or will in 50 years’ time. “Every area is going to change, but it's got to be done in the right way.”Rath, who attended St Patrick's Primary School at Port Kembla and Edmund Rice College before he went to Sydney for university, is moving back to the area.When he was approached by Opposition Leader Mark Speakman to take on the Shadow Minister’s role, he was thrilled. “I think it made sense from Mark's perspective when he did approach me to put me into the role as someone who's moving back to the area, grew up in the area, his friends and family are there, who knows the area really well to represent it,” he said.“I don't think there's any greater honour than to be able to represent and advocate for the area that you grew up in and a part of the world that you love and that you want to see thrive and prosper.”Labor is dominating the political landscape along the South Coast at state and federal level.“This is a problem for the Liberal Party - from Helensburgh to the Victorian border, we don't have any Liberal representation,” Rath added.“And if you go back not that long ago, state and federally, we had a lot of seats - we had the state seat of Heathcote, we had Kiama, we had South Coast, we had Bega. Now we don't have any of them. “So, hopefully as a member of the Upper House, who will be based locally, at least there will be some Liberal representation in the Illawarra, and I think that's important to hold Labor to account as well. “We want to present our views, our policy ideas, we think we've got the better approach, we want to try and win back some of these seats.”Rath said problems with railway commuter times, highway traffic around Dapto and Nowra, and hospital waiting lists were other issues that were not being properly addressed by the Government on the South Coast.

Farmers have been handed much-needed relief from the NSW Government which is immediately reducing the cost to farmers of undertaking a Drought Ready and Resilient Fund loan by reducing its interest rate by 1 per cent.NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty called for a review after examining the uptake of the loan after nearly two years of operation and listening to feedback from farmers across the state, especially in southern NSW. The $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund already offered low-interest loans up to $250,000 to assist primary producers prepare for, manage and recover from drought.Normally the interest rates for the five-year and 10-year DRRF loans would have been 4.98 per cent and 5.81 per cent respectively.But they will now be reduced to 3.98 per cent for five-year DRRF loans and 4.81 per cent for the 10-year loans.This reduction will save a farmer around $7000 over a five-year loan and $15,000 over a 10-year loan for the borrowed $250,000.According to the government, commercial lenders in the market would offer rates of up to 10 per cent for similar purpose loans.The Government is reviewing the other aspects of the DRRF to improve what can be offered to farmers experiencing drought conditions or wanting to prepare for future drought settings.“Farmers have told me they don’t want a handout, they want a leg up, and reducing rates for this Fund will make sure these loans are more accessible for those farmers in need or planning to cover challenging times," Moriarty said, adding the Fund was “set up to provide additional assistance to farmers and make available lower rate loans than what people could get from other financial institutions". “We have listened and have reduced rates even further to ensure these loans are a better option for producers in drought-affected regions.“While rates may increase or hopefully decrease in the future due to underlying bond rate changes each month, the 1 per cent interest rate reduction for the Fund’s loans will remain in place.“The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund Loans now represent the most affordable loans of their kind on the market, delivering significant savings compared to any commercial lending alternative."The Fund is open to all farming businesses, including young farmers, new entrants to the industry, and those who have experienced increased off-farm income as a result of recent natural disasters.

The hum of conversation and clink of wine glasses provided the perfect backdrop for Tides & Textures, the latest exhibition by Illawarra artist Nicky Lett, launched at Cin Cin Restaurant & Wine Bar on Thursday 6 November. With a welcome from owner and host Michael Bowden of Cin Cin’s and Michelle Springett for Expressive Art Trail, Nicky shared her journey with art patrons. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, and now based locally, Lett draws on her lifelong connection with the sea to create vivid, layered works that shimmer with movement and emotion. Her paintings blend acrylic and oil, collage and texture, to build abstract seascapes and playful glimpses of life both above and beneath the waves.Michelle Springett of Expressive Art, Michael Bowden of Cin Cin's and artist Nicky LettEach piece invites the viewer to look deeper - to discover the stories, families and fleeting moments that emerge as colour and form shift across the canvas. Lett describes her process as intuitive and therapeutic, particularly as she lives with Multiple Sclerosis, finding grounding and joy through paint and mark making.The result is an exhibition that captures not only the look of the ocean but its rhythm and spirit. Tides & Textures transforms Cin Cin’s walls into a celebration of colour, connection and storytelling - a reminder of how deeply the sea shapes life along our coast.Tides & Textures on now - part of the Expressive Art Trail By Nicky Lett At Cin Cin Restaurant & Wine Bar, Kiama

The Bondi2Berry Ride to Remember is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary this Saturday.The 155km bike ride sees its participants pedal from Bondi Beach through to Berry to raise funds for the Dementia Research Community.The charity is volunteer-led and in its 9 years has raised over $1.9million and channelled it into 10 research projects dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for Australia’s leading cause of death.In addition to this annual event, the organisation is responsible for coordinating multiday rides that take place every two years, including Bondi2Barosssa, Bondi2BlueMtns, Bondi2Brighton and this year’s Bondi2Byron.Kiama local Jay Gaffey will be among the 300 riders, participating in remembrance of her mother and aunty who passed away from dementia.At 11am, the riders will make a pitstop at Kiama’s Hindmarsh Park, where live music, face painting, and a bake sale will be open to the public. The event will be hosted by Kiama Municipal Council, with proceeds going directly to dementia research.Donations can be made at: https://drc.supporterhub.net.au/fundraising/bondi2berry-2025/bondi2berry

With poor weather around the grounds on Saturday, it was all smiles in fourth grade, where Kiama claimed a thrilling win in a reduced 30-over contest against Gerringong, securing victory with only three balls to spare - thanks to youngster Milo Brown.Gerringong reached 183 runs in their first innings with opener Harry Kenneally's 32 and Richard Warfield's 33 the best of the bunch.The Cavs openers got to work with a 64-run stand before Adam McCrone fell for 29 to Gerringong’s Brad Speering, who tore through the next two batters, claiming 3-0 in the ninth over.Brett Nortje belted 51 off 36 balls before retiring, taking the Cavs to 4-100 before Gerringong took regular wickets, leaving the visitors at 7-160.“Enter under-13s youngster Milo Brown, who finished 17 not out from 13 balls - showing maturity and nerves beyond his years - guiding the Cavs to an epic three-wicket victory on the third-last ball of the innings,” said Kiama president Bernie Brown.“Partnered by club legend and all-round good bloke Dan Cooper, who finished not out on nine, Milo earned a standing ovation as they took the win, making it three on the trot and finding some great form.”This Saturday, they play the Oak Flats Rats and will look to make it four in a row.The men’s first and second grades took on Albion Park in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the clubs’ first encounter back in 1875.“As were the comments from the write-up 150 years ago,” said Brown, “‘the weather was most disagreeable’ - a sentiment that rang true for the sesquicentenary.” Afternoon storm cells played havoc with most matches, with first grade disappointingly washed out at Keith Grey Oval just as festivities were in full swing.Before the match was abandoned, Kiama had Albion Park in trouble at 3-28 after 13 overs, with wickets going to Brad Ison (2-13) and Jon Hay (1-20). They’ll face competition leaders Shellharbour next week.The second grade side with Albion Park, celebrating the 150th anniversary since both clubs first met. Photo: Kiama Cavaliers Cricket ClubSecond grade, playing at home, managed to complete their match at Kiama Sporting Complex despite the weather - though they might have wished otherwise after going down by 68 runs.“In a disrupted, reduced-overs match, Albion Park got away from the home side in the latter overs to post 6-181 from 35 overs. The best of the bowlers was Jacob Lewis, picking up 2-27,” said Brown.Kiama began well with the openers combining for 41 runs, but the dismissal of captain Josh Battishall for 24 triggered a collapse.“Kiama unfortunately collapsed, losing 9-72 to be all out for 113, with only a handful of batters reaching double figures. They head into the bye this week and will be back on the 22nd to take on competition heavyweights Gerringong,” said Brown.Third grade’s match against Lake Illawarra at Bonaira Oval was also abandoned. They’ll face Kookas Blue this Saturday.In the South Coast women's competition, Kiama Cavettes fell just eight runs short of defeating competition leaders, the Oak Flats Ratatouilles.Coming into the match at Bonaira Oval on Friday night, the Cavettes had one win and one loss to their name, while the Ratatoullies were unbeaten.Kiama did well to restrict the Ratatoullies to 121 - their lowest score of the season.“The Cavettes set a strong game plan, restricting two of the competition’s leading run scorers and producing an excellent fielding display that resulted in two run-outs,” said Brown.Emma Timbs was the standout with the ball, finishing with figures of 2-28 and contributing to a run out.The Cavettes began strongly with a 62-run opening partnership between Ava Sloan (35 off 37) and Ebony Winston (18 off 27). However, both fell in quick succession, and another wicket soon followed, leaving the side at 3-70 with less than eight overs remaining.Emma Ford rallied late with some strong hitting, reaching 27 not out off 24 balls and forming partnerships with Brooklyn Brown and Jacquie Sloan.But ultimately they fell eight runs short.