In accordance with Section 418 (3) of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), Kiama Municipal Council advises that the ordinary Council meeting to be held on 20 November 2024 will include the presentation of the audited Financial Statementsand the Auditor’s Report for the year ending 30 June 2024.A summary of the Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Report is provided on Council’s website.In accordance with Section 420 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW), any person may make a submission in writing to Council with respect to the Council’s Audited Financial Statements or the Auditor’s Reports.The closing date for Council to receive public submissions is 4pm 27 November 2024 for the year ended 30 June 2024.Copies of the Audited Financial Statements and the Auditor’s Report may also be inspected at:Kiama Administration – 11 Manning Street, Kiama, NSW, 2533Kiama Library - 7 Railway Pde, Kiama NSW 2533Further information: Financial reports an unqualified success

Strong and thriving communities need effective local government. No other level of government is as close to the issues and people.The Councillor Conduct Framework (Framework) is under review with the aim to facilitate and support local decision making.Effective local government comes when councillors are visibly in control of their councils. How councillors act and how appropriately and transparently decisions are made at meetings is critical in demonstrating to the community that their elected representatives understand the consequences of their decisions, and then make the best possible decisions they can for their community as a whole.It is intended that the revised Framework will be based on the following principles of change:Council leadership and decision making is paramountFreedom of speech is fundamentalTransparency and accountability are maintainedIssues are dealt with at the most immediate or local levelA strong and proportionate local government regulatorJustice is timely and proportionateSignificant penalties should only be imposed by a judicial or quasi-judicial body OLG has prepared a Discussion Paper to seek the views of the community, key stakeholders and the local government sector about the proposed changes.Read the discussion paper here.Submissions will be accepted until COB Friday 15 November 2024.

It's heartwarming to see such passionate dedication to the well-being of our furry friends that even our elected officials can’t help but jump in to "lend a hand" in celebrating this long-awaited dog park!Of course, while we thank all sides for their “invaluable contributions,” let's pause to give real credit to the Jamberoo community and the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association. They’re the ones who put in the hours, knocking on doors and gathering voices for the surveys, petitions, and kitchen table chats that made this dog park a reality. It’s a testament to community power in action.Now, as for the political sparring over who gets the spotlight... Maybe the dogs can settle that one when the park opens. With a bit of agility equipment and shaded seating on hand, it’ll be the perfect spot for everyone to see just who can jump the highest!Paws and Applause, Jamberoo!

Letter to the Editor In politics, disagreements are natural, debate is necessary, and differences of opinion drive progress. But there's one thing we should all be able to agree on: honesty and respect must be at the foundation of our discourse. Unfortunately, recent statements made by Gareth Ward fall short of this standard, spreading misinformation and creating an atmosphere of distrust. This isn’t just an issue of political rivalry—it’s about upholding the dignity of our democratic process and respecting the public we serve.In a recent release Mr Ward indicated that I am attempting to re-write history regarding the Jamberoo dog park, following comments the day prior referring to me as someone who is ‘irrelevant’ and ‘claims to be the Labor spokesperson for Kiama’.This is not the first time Mr Ward has attempted to discredit me, in February this year he referred to me as someone who is ‘allegedly a Member of Parliament’.As a Member of the Legislative Council, and Member of the Minns Labor Government, I have been appointed to the role of Labor Spokesperson for Kiama. My job in this role is to provide a conduit for information directly into the Government from the people of Kiama, and straight from the Government to the Kiama community. This role is a supplementary opportunity for two-way communication between the people of Kiama and the Government and is necessarily different to the role of Mr Ward who is not a member of the Government.It is through this role that I have been engaging with Councillor Stuart Larkins around a dog park for Kiama. Councillor Larkins has been advocating for this dog park since 2022 through motions and petitions he has presented to Council. He has also worked with Council since then to make this dog park a reality. In June this year he was pleased to move the motion for the draft Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy, which outlined that Council would use their grant funding for the Jamberoo Dog Park.This funding was recently signed off by the NSW Government. I was pleased to work with Minister Scully and Stuart to ensure this fantastic news was shared with the Kiama Community.My focus is keeping the people of Kiama across what the Minns Labor government is doing.Mr Ward’s comments are discourteous and disrespectful and this is not how we should be conducting politics. As a professional woman of my age it is not the first time a man has tried to undermine me by saying that I am irrelevant or incorrect. So this won’t deter me from doing my job.However, our communities are best served when we, as public officials, communicate openly, transparently, and accurately. The words of public officials have weight, and it is our responsibility to ensure they reflect truth and respect. I am calling on Mr Ward to commit to an honest dialogue and to cease sharing false or misleading statements. The people of Kiama and NSW deserve information they can trust, not convenient spin designed to sow division or distrust.Political differences should be resolved through respectful debate, grounded in facts. Mistruths have no place in this dialogue—they only sideline the issues, distort the facts, and further polarise our community. By returning to a respectful and fact-based conversation, we not only honour the truth but also show that we value the intelligence and trust of our constituents.This is not about avoiding criticism or expecting agreement. Vigorous debate strengthens our democracy, and the scrutiny that comes with public office is a necessary part of the job. But for it to be meaningful, for it to benefit the people we represent, it must be based on facts.Let us take this opportunity to refocus on what truly matters to our community and bring respect and integrity back to our political exchanges. The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine MLCMember of the Legislative CouncilGovernment Spokesperson for Kiama

To Whom It May ConcernI am reaching out to ask for your consideration in supporting what can best described as the saving of a Kiama Harbour icon, the MV SIGNA.The MV SIGNA is a timber cruising boat, built between 1968-70, with a history of providing a wide variety of fishermen and pleasure cruisers with a daily charter experience over a period of almost 54 years.In 2021 a prohibition order was placed on MV SIGNA by Maritime Services of NSW after she deteriorated over a number of years.She languished in Kiama Harbour until July 2022 when she was purchased by a group of 6 pensioners aged 62-84 with the aim of restoring her to her former glory.Two and a half years and some 14,000 hours later, MV SIGNA has been returned to Kiama Harbour and has undergone the final internal cosmetic tweaking and sea trials. She looks amazing and is an attraction in the harbour for visitors and locals alike.As part of the restoration program, the crew had the dream of cruising to Hobart, Tasmania for the biannual International Timber Boat Show to be held in February, 2025. The application was submitted early in 2024 and approval to be part of the show was received in late September. As we now understand, this is a huge honour since only 187 boats were selected out of a field of 400.The restoration has been a hugely expensive exercise and financing this trip to one of the world’s major boat shows is now in jeopardy. As a team of pensioners and retirees our financial resources have been stretched beyond capacity.We are seeking approximately $10,000 to achieve the goal of travelling to Hobart and showcasing this beautiful boat and Kiama to the rest of the world. The major cost is fuel and harbour fees along the way.Her return to Kiama Harbour, following worldwide exposure provides tourists and locals the opportunity to share in something quite unique.Your consideration in assisting the MV SIGNA team and the local community would be greatly appreciated.Thanking you in anticipation,John HansenTeam LeaderEditor's note: The Bugle is helping with this project and you can make a pledge here. 

As Halloween gains popularity in Australia, there’s a unique chance to make it less commercial and more meaningful, rooted in family, community, and local celebration.Here are three ways to turn Halloween into a true harvest fest that supports local producers and brings everyone together - ideas for 2025 and beyond!Farm-to-Table FeastTransform Halloween into a community meal that celebrates local food. Families gather to enjoy dishes made from regional produce, dressing in costumes inspired by Australian food production, farms, and our farmers. This farm-to-table approach supports local farmers, minimises waste, and connects everyone with Australia’s seasonal flavours.Scavenger Hunt for Local GoodiesHost a Halloween scavenger hunt in a park or community garden where kids search for locally sourced treats.. Add educational clues about local crops and sustainable practices to make Halloween both fun and informative. Kids will build connections to the land while enjoying healthier alternatives to candy.Glow-in-the-Dark Farmers MarketTurn the farmers market into a Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween event with vendors offering Halloween-themed versions of their products—think ghost-shaped bread, local produce displays, and spooky arrangements. With glow-in-the-dark decorations and costumes encouraged, this night market becomes a unique, family-friendly Halloween celebration that promotes local food and businesses in a festive atmosphere.

It's heartwarming to see such passionate dedication to the well-being of our furry friends that even our elected officials can’t help but jump in to "lend a hand" in celebrating this long-awaited dog park!Of course, while we thank all sides for their “invaluable contributions,” let's pause to give real credit to the Jamberoo community and the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association. They’re the ones who put in the hours, knocking on doors and gathering voices for the surveys, petitions, and kitchen table chats that made this dog park a reality. It’s a testament to community power in action.Now, as for the political sparring over who gets the spotlight... maybe the dogs can settle that one when the park opens. With a bit of agility equipment and shaded seating on hand, it’ll be the perfect spot for everyone to see just who can jump the highest! Paws and Applause, Jamberoo!

I enjoy nothing more than a good old-fashioned supernatural horror film—something that keeps me in suspense and offers a little shock value. However, there’s something that fills me with more dread than the price of cheese this week, and that’s Halloween.It’s not the idea of some skeleton climbing out of the Blowhole or the thought of a witch circling the tower of the Kiama Post Office. No, it’s the notion that Halloween is approaching and whether I need to have a bag of candy—sorry, lollies—beside the front door, just waiting in sheer anticipation for that knock from a group of children greeting me with “Trick or Treat.”Let me share my fear and pose a question: wouldn’t you be scarred like I am if you found yourself in a similar situation?I lived on a relatively quiet street in Nowra until I received that fateful knock at the door. It was a calm evening, and I was preparing dinner for my Cattle Dog X General, about to settle in for a classic episode of Gardening Australia, when I opened the door. Before me stood a group consisting of a little devil, a zombie, a princess, and someone in yellow, which I think was an attempt at a character from Pokémon. As I looked into their eyes, sparkling with anticipation and smiles on their faces, they held out their little buckets, waiting for something sweet to drop in. Fear set in as I realised I had nothing—zilch—because Halloween is not a holiday I observe.As the smiles began to turn to frowns on the children’s faces, an idea struck me. I ducked back into the kitchen and rummaged through the pantry. When I returned, I triumphantly held various packets of cup of soups I had been saving for a rainy day—literally a rainy day.Fast forward twelve months, and my partner and I were ready. We stocked up on various packets of fun-sized treats. Like clockwork, a knock came at the door, accompanied by the familiar chant of “Trick or Treat,” and we happily distributed chocolates, bringing smiles all around.Eventually, the kids grew older, and the Halloween tradition slowly disappeared, leaving our quiet street to return to its former self—like spirits and ghouls returning to their graves as the clock strikes midnight.But to this day, as October 31 rolls around, that fear strikes me like a pitchfork stuck into my derriere. Will this be the year I finally have a bag of flavoured snakes beside the door, or can I tempt another year with those packets of chicken noodle soup sitting in the kitchen cupboard? 

A new initiative is set to energise the Kiama community as Electrify Kiama officially launches their community survey this week. Following in the footsteps of our Northern suburbs neighbours, Electrify2515, this exciting community group is focused on increasing take-up of efficient electric appliances and vehicles, to save every home money and reduce our carbon emissions.70% of Australia's domestic emissions occur at the household and business level. To meet our emissions targets, we need to rapidly replace the fossil fuel machines that sit in homes, driveways and businesses with efficient, electric versions powered by renewable energy. According to Rewiring Australia’s research and projections, by 2030, Australia’s households could be saving over $40 billion a year, which is close to - and in future could overtake -our export earnings from coal. The most economical path to powering our everyday lives is to significantly increase rooftop solar take-up and fully engage the associated storage capacity in vehicles, house-batteries, and thermalsystems, including hot water. (Castles & Cars Discussion Paper, Rewiring Australia)Here, in the Kiama LGA, people are already keen and on board with this switch. There are 41% of households in our municipality with rooftop solar so we are sitting well above the NSW state average of 36%. When it comes to electric vehicles, as of July we are ahead of the state but at 1.8% there is still lots of opportunity to increase take-up of EVs across Australia and in our local community. “One local resident told me they recently took their Tesla on a 2,300km road trip to Phillip Island and back. They said they spent $170 on chargers and they were mainly on the highway section. They never encountered a broken charger or had to queue. The car was amazing and they said the autopilot is a must for long-distance driving.”“As a group, we want to understand where people in our local community are at with electrifying their households and share information that will support further take-up and action, so we are launching with a survey to understand what people already have and what their needs/interests are.” –Alexandra McPaul, Member of Electrify Kiama. The survey for people living in the Kiama LGA includes questions about people’s current use of electric appliances and what types of additional electrification, information or events they are interested in. Fill in the survey now by following this link. “The electrify movement is all about encouraging and supporting people to install rooftop solar, replace gas with efficient induction cooking, use reverse cycle air- conditioning (rather than gas), use heat pump hot water (or electric with solar), switch to electric vehicles and use home or community batteries for back-up power.”“Often people feel powerless to make a difference as individuals, this is about coming together as a community to make a difference and share information and knowledge.There are people in our community who have already made the switch, and others who are sitting on the fence, or unsure. Through sharing people’s experience and learnings, we hope people will feel more confident to take that next step,” said Alexandra McPaul, member of Electrify Kiama.We are inspired by a vision of creating a more connected and forward-thinking community. Some of the opportunities we plan to explore include:facilitating conversations with industry experts on the latest advancements in technology,sharing local and global trends, andrunning educational workshops/events to promote change that benefits both the environment and the local economy.“Our goal is to connect local residents, professionals, and enthusiasts with the tools and information they need to embrace a more energy efficient and sustainable future. Join us as we work together to make positive change.” For more information about Electrify Kiama and how to get involved, follow their updates on social media. For more information about the overall approach check out Rewiring Australia. For further information contact: [email protected]

I refer to your article about the young people from Gerringong urging Kiama Council to consider redevelopment of the former nursing home located in Havilah Place. Whilst I have sympathy for their housing problems, I don't believe that the site they have identified is an appropriate solution. As I have pointed out on previous occasions in writing to your paper about this site, the land on which those buildings are located was donated by a local developer, Tony Freeman, in the 1970s to the Kiama Aged Care Council. I have unfortunately no detail as to how and why ownership reverted to Council (if indeed it has); but I am aware that some services currently in existence in that building, are shared with the residential retirement village known as Blue Haven Terralong. Given that your paper has also identified the dearth of residential aged accommodation in this community, and given the circumstances of the initial gift of this land and the purposes for which it was donated, a reasonable person could only conclude that any future development of the site would be a logical extension of the existing retirement village - in other words Blue Haven Stage 6. If you look at the history of the development of Blue Haven, as documented by Nick Hartgerink in 2019 for Kiama Council, you would note that when the most recent Stage of Blue Haven was developed, Council received a windfall that enabled the construction of the Pavilion, on the showground headland. A properly functioning Council should be able to identify this business opportunity, and any subsequent profit could then be used to create 'social housing' elsewhere within the municipality.A. Holder Kiama

Bombo Sewage Treatment Plant continues to emit a strong lung-filling odour. Contrary to Sydney Waters's claims back in 2023 that they would fix the smell emanating from the plant, an almost daily stench is spreading much further into local streets. I'm calling on our local council and our local state and federal politicians to get onto Sydney Water to solve the problem. So far their efforts have only made the stench worse. The Environmental Protection Agency has strict guidelines under which the Bombo Sewage treatment plant must operate... what are they doing???R King

The latest update by Kiama Council on the stalled 'sale' of Bonaira, is both concerning and not unexpected. It would appear that the 'sale' may be very much a 'Claytons' sale - you know - the sale you have when you haven't really got a sale. Two delays in settlement now, and remember, this is only the down payment - $1 million, as we have been led to believe, the balance payable 18 months later. That pushes back the final settlement to almost 2027. So how will the remaining T-corp debt be funded? One cannot help think that yet again the community has been sold a pup. I have also asked Council the question on what basis has the commission to Stuart Brown Advisory been calculated? You know, they belong to the same stable as Stuart Brown Chartered Accountants who were given the task of advising Council whether it should sell, retain or lease both Bonaira and the Terralong facility. No prizes for guessing what their recommendation was, and again unsurprisingly in accord with the recommendation given to Council by the General Manager. Of course the response by Council to my query was far from transparent - but then again just about everything else this Council has done in this whole sorry mess, has suffered from the same problem. Good luck to our newly elected Councillors in sorting out this debacle!A. Holder

One cannot fail to notice the scaffolding in place in various areas/buildings at the Bonaira site at present. This is obviously indicative of ongoing remedial work being undertaken on defects in buildings in general. It is amazing that these buildings are only 5 years old, but remedial works seem to have been going on there since basically the facility was opened. How could the present administration have taken to market such a flawed facility (in building terms), and ever to have hoped for a reasonable sales price outcome as a result? Imagine putting your house up for auction with half a roof missing! What sort of sales outcome could you expect? Yet this is what has happened with an asset that is/was by far the most expensive asset this community owned. It seems to me that our Council administrators spent more time pursuing vendettas against recalcitrant Councillors on the outgoing Council, than attending to things that mattered, such as holding the builder to account for what has happened at Bonaira. This is shameful conduct on behalf of those who are (highly) paid to shepherd the assets that belong to this community. Certain people in our Council administration need to take a good long hard look at themselves and their motives. I certainly hope that our incoming Council and Councillors will take note of this abject dereliction of duty!A. Holder

"Not in My Backyard” is understandable, but if not here, where? If not now, when?During a recent trip to Barcelona—once a Roman settlement and now a thriving metropolis—it struck me how urban development shapes the character of a community. Cities evolve, and growth is inevitable. Barcelona is just one example of how development, when done thoughtfully, can preserve heritage while supporting a thriving, modern population.But when we say “not in my backyard,” are we simply protecting the status quo, or are we denying future generations the opportunity to live where they grew up? At some point, someone allowed the development that gave us the homes and communities we now enjoy. So why are we now saying no to houses for our children?It’s understandable to want to protect what’s familiar, but are we waiting for someone else to solve the housing crisis? Are we expecting other areas to take on the burden while we cling to our current landscape? Growth doesn’t have to mean destruction—it can be carefully managed to maintain the unique character of our communities while still addressing real needs.If we don’t act now, then when? If not here, where will our children live? These are questions we must ask if we truly want our communities to thrive for generations to come.L. Strong

What a fabulous newspaper!!! I've downloaded it and have skimmed through the various features. It leaves the Leader for dead doesn't it!!!!You have a plethora of talent and such interesting characters in Kiama. It's like a hub for talented people Today's reading! H. Hansen.Sydney.

Dear Madam/SirG,Maxwell asks in his letter in September Bugle 'what's happened to school buses'? I'll tell you. There are privately run school buses in Kiama. But, if you live less than 2.3 kms from a primary school or 2.9kms from a high school you can't get a free travel pass - you must pay $200 for a yearly pass. So most local Kiama kids attending the primary schools or high school aren't eligible for a free travel pass. But Kiama kids attending private schools in Shellharbour or Wollongong can travel free to school. There was a time when children were encouraged to attend local public schools - now public schools suffer from a lack of funding as more government funds go to private schools than public schools. Surely those parents who choose to send their kids to local schools should be rewarded for this by getting free school travel. Then more kids would use the buses and there'd be less congestion on our roads at drop off and pick up times.Yes G. Maxwell - let's bring back the free school buses for local kids. Perhaps this is something our local member and the new Councillors could take up with the State Government.K. DummettKiama

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to KCR for the council candidate interviews that you did, in collaboration with The Bugle. Without hearing from the candidates directly, as a new resident in Kiama, it would be almost impossible to get a handle on who the candidates are and what they stand for. You ticked so many boxes well; pointed, timed questions; short and easily consumable interviews (who can spend hours listening to candidates waffle). The mainstream media have a lot to learn from KCR and The Bugle - you absolutely put them to shame! I look forward to engaging with a lot more of your content.M Scheepers

Having just returned from my daily Kendalls beach to lighthouse walk, I continue to be dismayed by the presence of a tent set up overlooking Storm Bay, opposite the entrance to the Anglican church. This tent has been there for several months now. I am concerned where the owner toilets amongst other concern. I am concerned about the ongoing impact on the amenity of the area for residents and visitors. On reflection the area now has several long term residents that I know of including: a man in a white van, a man camping in the BBQ area of the rugby league club, a man camped on the front veranda of the Pilot's cottage, and a bumpy with blue tarp down on the southern cliffs of Storm Bay. Surely this is a community issue worth investigating. I spoke to the council 4 weeks ago & received a very poor and unsatisfactory response. Regards C Potter

Looking at options for the upcoming election : I could never consider voting for any candidate who has been sitting for a lengthy time. The reason is simple ... just look at the expenditure/revenue leaflet that accompanied your last rate notice. Anyone who sat on council year after year and could not grasp that 28% of expenditure allocated to aged care facilities and services was in need of a massive turnaround must have been asleep or without understanding. Probably the latter. Councils aren't for the establishment and maintenance of aged care at ratepayer expense. Council dollars just can't spread to that. The chamber needs a cleanout - we need people who can understand and manage and track our affairs. Be confident that those you vote for have experience and skills that are up to the task. R Murrell