With the winter respiratory virus season rapidly approaching, NSW Health is reminding people aged 65 years and older – to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination, and book in with their GP or pharmacist for their yearly fluvaccination ahead of winter.ATAGI recommends people aged 65 and over receive their free COVID vaccine every 6 – 12 months. NSW Health recommends people speak to their doctor or pharmacist to understand what is best for them. Older people should also speak to their doctor now to make a plan about what to do if they start feeling unwell to help them get access to the right tests and treatments quickly.“The wider community also play an important role in protecting people who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and flu. This includes our family and friends aged over 65. We want to remind the community if they are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, they should stay at home to protect others. If someone has cold or flu symptoms and they need to go out, they should wear a mask,” says Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Chief Health Officer.People experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms should also avoid visiting high risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities or people who are at higher risk of severe illness. Other things people can do to help protect themselves and their loved ones include:Stay at home if you’re unwell. If you have symptoms but have to leave home, wear a mask.Speak to your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory illnesses and make a plan about what to do if you start feeling unwell so you can get access to the right tests and treatments earlyGather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.Consider taking a rapid antigen test, even if you don’t have symptoms, before visiting vulnerable loved ones when COVID-19 transmission is moderate or high in the community. To see the latest NSW respiratory surveillance summary report, please visit health.nsw.gov.au/respiratoryreportsPeople may be required to wear a mask in NSW when visiting high-risk settings such as aged and disability care. Masks may also be required in hospitals, general practices, medical centres and pharmacies.NSW Health continues to closely monitor and assess the way we respond to acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, to keep patients, staff and visitors to our health facilities safe.For more information on getting your flu or COVID-19 vaccination and how to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter, visit this website.

There have been calls from the community for Kiama Council’s Mayor Neil Reilly and CEO Jane Stroud to publicly apologise for their treatment and invalid censure of Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang. The censure took place at the Council meeting on 21 November 2023, following an interview that Councillor Renkemba-Lang gave to ABC Illawarra on 21 June, 2023. The interview covered the impending sale of Blue Haven Bonaira. At the time, Councillor Renkema-Lang said that she had heard numerous concerns from the community regarding the information that had been provided by the Council detailing the sale.  In remarks to Kiama Community Radio on 5 December 2023, Mayor Reilly stated that he was responsible for instigating the investigation that eventually led to the now invalid censure. Mayor Reilly claimed that he also had heard from the community regarding Councillor Renkema-Lang’s comments and that young women had been left in tears. These concerns prompted him to begin the process of a Council-led investigation, which led to Councillor Renkema-Lang being censured in a confidential session at the November 2023 meeting.  At the time, CEO Jane Stroud said, “I hold specific concerns and worry about the worsening functionality of the Council, when in such uncertain times and unchartered territory, what is really required is cohesive and collective effort to correct the course of the organisation.” As a result of the censure, Councillor Renkema-Lang filed proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW seeking to set aside or invalidate the censure. A direction hearing on 22 April revealed that Council had admitted that the censure was invalid. Council has yet to provide comment on this situation, and the media release detailing the censure has now been taken down. In addition, the formal and official minutes of the 21 November 2023 meeting have also been removed from the public record. On or prior to 30 May, the Supreme Court of NSW will advise of its final determination of how the matter will be settled, and what actions Council must take.  Local Government elections will be held on Saturday 14 September, and there has been no formal confirmation from any Councillors as to whether they will be running for re-election.  Several key decisions of Council are supposed to be finalised by formal caretaker provisions commencing Friday 16 August, including finalisation of Council’s Communications and Growth and Housing Strategies. Given the controversy and complexities regarding housing, it is unlikely that the Growth and Housing Strategy will reach ‘draft status’ prior to Council shutdown.  The Bugle has been inundated with comments regarding this mistreatment, and the paper’s view is in line and supports the community’s call for a formal apology by Mayor Neil Reilly and CEO Jane Stroud for their treatment and invalid censure of Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang.

The Bugle's View - Value versus worth   As has been widely reported, the median price of property in Kiama has reached $1.5m, a rise of more than 80% in the last five years.   The cost of housing has eclipsed Byron Bay, and we’re now the most expensive place in regional NSW to put a roof over your head.  Not too long ago, anytime Byron Bay was raised in conversation, it would be along the lines of – “I hope we never become anything like Byron Bay”. And just like that, we’re there. On the face of it, we’re not too far behind Sydney, with the price of a swanky luxury SUV that we see swanning down Terralong Street the only difference between the cost of housing between here and Sydney.   This is great news for all property owners (particularly those without a mortgage!) in the area. No doubt that they’ve worked hard to get onto the property ladder, realise their Australian dream and the value of their asset(s) have skyrocketed.  We say property owners, rather than homeowners because we know that there are quite a few properties that are investments for short-term letting, or simply a weekender for a Sydneysider.  The Bugle does not cast aspersions on the right to own property and see its value increase over time – but our View is, what worth does the average price of a home being $1.5m bring to our community? When families are being broken up and young adults are leaving the area taking with them, youth, energy and importantly the next generation of our community, there is a clear difference between ‘value’ and ‘worth’.  Our coverage also heard the other end of the family-unit spectrum. We heard from Kiama local Ryan Jamieson and his family’s own personal housing crisis with no other options but to sleep on a pull-out sofa whilst his daughter shares a bed with her grandmother.  He and his family are just some of the faces of the housing crisis. Our property might have value, but what is its worth, if it means that our community is under constant housing stress with little to no options besides leaving the area? Our people and community are our greatest asset, but if Ryan’s situation is anything to go by, ‘our people’ are under stress and are moving away. It’s no wonder the average age of our local government area is already ten years older than the rest of the State. In Kiama specifically, it is even more stark.  Kiama Council says that in the next 15 years, one-third of the population will be over 65 years old.  Is our community just going to become cashed up Sydneysiders who are selling their expensive property and buying another (albeit less expensive one) in our area? Sure, there’s significant value involved in that transaction, but what is that worth? Premier Chris Minns recently stated that Sydney is at risk of becoming a city with no grandchildren, and given the similarities with our housing prices, we appear to be on that same trajectory. Perhaps, superficially, this is what the overarching community wants? But if we delve deeper, is it really? Do we want to be a diverse community with teachers, aged-care workers, families, professionals, entrepreneurs and young people as well as the elderly?  Or do want to have an enclave that is asset-rich and worth-poor?  The Bugle’s View is that we should be happy that a majority of us now have a lot more value to our names, but equally, we need to start thinking about how we increase our community’s worth. 

It’s a very bold claim for Kiama Council to pronounce that the community has spoken on the basis of a petition opposing Springside Hill.Adopting “no” or “hell no” as the default position is exactly the attitude that NSW Premier Chris Minns identified as the root cause of the housing crisis we are in.Two drop-in sessions that we held to inform the community about our proposal to provide the homes that Kiama so desperately needs, assured us that there are many voices that have gone unheard.Their support for Springside Hill, insightful suggestions of ways to improve the masterplan and desperate need for housing are all the encouragement we need to continue working to progress our plans.We spoke to residents caught in a desperate rental situation, fearful for their future. It was hard to explain to them that Council’s current position ignores their plight, voting to not support our plan to build around 1,000 homes with 25 per cent guaranteed for locals, essential workers and affordable housing.We could begin work on Springside Hill tomorrow with the first homes delivered by 2027 yet the people of Kiama are being asked to pin their hopes on other proposals with no plans, no analysis and no timeline. People like the grandfather who owns a home near Springside Hill and is living with his son and daughter-in-law, and their young family. He wants his grandchildren to live near him, but not necessarily with him. He sees Springside Hill as an opportunity to keep his family close by, otherwise they’ll have to move out of the area.Or the mother of three who endured a $200 a week rent rise only to find themselves looking for a new home when the owner decided to sell. Together with her husband she’s in the final decade of her working life, and with market rents and house prices having soared beyond their means, she isfearful for what the future holds.These are the untold stories from within the community that need to be heard.Our position has always been that Kiama faces an immediate housing crisis requiring an immediate solution, which Springside Hill provides.Bombo Quarry will play an essential role in meeting Kiama’s longer term housing needs given the time required for rehabilitation and planning. Not a single local we spoke to expects Bombo to provide housing relief before the 2030s.Housing insecurity takes an enormous human toll, every waking moment consumed by a sense of dread about what the future holds. Some of the conversations we had at the drop-in session were raw and uncomfortable. For these people, Springside Hill offers a glimmer of hope.Feedback from attendees highlighted elements of the proposal that won most favour – the 25 per cent guarantee for locals and affordable and key worker housing, the creation of new jobs and services for the community, like GPs, groceries and childcare, the diversity of housing types fromsmall lots to lifestyle lots, townhouses and apartments, providing opportunities for young people and families with children.The Springside Hill proposal is a carefully considered plan. It is not about building the maximum number of dwellings for maximum profit but providing homes in which people can live their lives in safety and comfort.There was a great diversity of viewpoints among those who attended the drop-in sessions. Some were concerned about the direct impacts on their lifestyle. That is a reasonable concern and we have already demonstrated our willingness to make changes to lessen the impacts.A young family were strongly supportive of the additional housing that Springside Hill will provide. Like many with homes in Kiama, who bought before the surge in property prices, they would benefit further from locking the gate to new housing, yet with two young daughters, their greater concern isfor the next generation.Council’s decision not to support the Springside Hill proposal was not unexpected. Change is difficult yet when development is done well it brings wide-ranging benefits. So, we wholeheartedly agree with the Planning Minister, Paul Scully MP, that addressing the housing crisis is a shared responsibility and that more needs to be done.Some will applaud Kiama recording the highest regional property price growth in NSW, outstripping even Byron Bay. But without housing equity the town stands to lose its young people and essential workers, becoming a community affordable only to Sydney blow-ins. Just a pretty town with expensive houses that no locals can afford.

It’s only natural that people hold different views about the future of Kiama but one thing we can allagree on is the desire for Kiama to be a liveable functioning town long into the future.How this goal is achieved remains a matter of debate. For years, Kiama has had no housing strategyand in that time the lack of affordable housing has become the biggest threat to Kiama remainingliveable and functional.When a home costs 16 times the average wage and rent consumes 38 per cent of a household’sincome, the decline has already begun.The NSW Government’s most recent population forecast for Kiama lays bare the situation. By 2041the local government area will need to accommodate an additional 7,000 people implying a demandfor more than 3,000 additional homes.This population growth will not happen overnight but incrementally, and there is a need to havegenuine proposals like Springside Hill, that will provide a steady supply of new homes to cater for thisrising demand.No one can wave a magic wand in 10 or 15 years’ time and expect thousands of homes to suddenlymaterialise. Just as you cannot expect a single solution to make up the historic shortfall in housingsupply and a deficit that will no doubt loom even larger in Kiama’s future.A quick look at the numbers highlights the futility of relying on a single solution strategy for Kiama’shousing needs, where multiple solutions are required.It’s not just a question of how many homes are needed but when. Given that high prices are alreadyforcing locals to leave town to establish a home, and businesses are struggling to find workers, theunequivocal answer is, right now.Every year that demand outstrips supply, the price of homes in Kiama rises. That’s great news forthose who own a home but cold comfort for young people who grew up here and want to stay andraise their own children surrounded by family and friends. Or those who are renting and desperatelyseeking to own their own home.It’s easy to forget how demoralising it is not being able to afford a home of your own when you arealready on the property ladder, and that the whole of Kiama was built on rolling green hills andpaddocks. It’s hard to hear that a passing view of cows matters more than their aspirations for homeownership and will only heighten the sense of unfairness felt by those locked out of homeownership.At Springside Hill we have set out a sensible and sensitive plan to manage population growth in away that preserves everything that makes Kiama so special, in a location adjacent to existing homes.By having a natural extension to existing housing, we can help preserve the low density character ofthe existing town. A diverse range of housing also allows for more choice, for downsizers, couplesand younger families to live in the types of homes they want.We spoke to the community before forming our proposal and we are continuing to talk to locals,taking on board their concerns and suggestions.The message we heard then and now is that locals desperately want a home they can afford to buyor rent so that they can stay in Kiama.These are the quiet, individual voices that are seldom heard. They are teachers, nurses, your friendsand family. They are not organised and coordinated, merely people who would like a fair go atrealising the great Australian dream. In Kiama.

Over the last two weeks there have been some important milestones for our community. Kiama Council has started a process of engagement on its Growth and Housing Strategy, and by all accounts this is a refreshing approach being led by Jessica Rippon. The Bugle has previously been critical of Council for ‘not having a plan’, particularly with respect to housing affordability and the housing crisis that is already being felt across the region. It looks as if the Growth and Housing Strategy will replace the long awaited ‘Local Housing Strategy’ that was supposed to be in place at the start of this decade. When we started The Bugle’s View, almost 11 months ago to the day, we wrote about how Kiama had been crowned Australia’s most liveable town in 2023. We wrote about Lau Amadeo and Thais Chikhani and Little Earth Roasters. And we also wrote about our young people and ensuring that they had the same opportunities as their Mum and Dad and the opportunity to work and live in the area, in places like Little Earth Roasters.  So, it’s glad to see Ms Rippon and Council acknowledge that anyone “reading or watching the news knows our nation is facing a housing crisis” and that “our community, will be required to play a part’”. What that part is, remains to be seen, but for far too long growth, investment and change has been held back.  This has been to the detriment of current and future generations of our Kiama community.  We’re not going to take credit for Council’s change in approach and their sudden embracing of change, growth and housing. But, we could have taken the typical NIMBY approach and said no to change, no to progress, no to growth. Growth and change are not easy. And it is hardly ever perfect, but we cannot continue to keep saying no for the sake of it. We cannot make the perfect the enemy of the good. At best, this compromises opportunities to improve our community, today. At worst, it’s a cynical attempt to ‘protect’ the livelihoods of a few, to the detriment of many, and the future. A clear example of this is the Kiama Village shopping centre.  Yes, it has been delayed.  Yes, there has been noise.  Yes, it could have gone smoother.  But for those like Kiama Doctors, who are now taking new patient registrations, it is a sign of progress, change and betterment.  Those of us who have had to wait days, or even weeks for a doctor’s visit will now have the opportunity to visit Kiama Doctors as an alternative. This follows Petstock, Health Destination Pharmacy as additional services for the community and soon, Bay Audio, the Coffee Emporium and Bakers Delight will provide additional amenities. None of this is possible without the changes that were brought on by the redevelopment of the Kiama Village, and the (positive) changes that this brings. The Bugle’s View is that change is coming, and that it is best that it is shaped and embraced, rather than rejected.

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It would be great if there was a simple quick fix to the housing crisis in Kiama. But the lack of new housingsupply and unaffordable prices have been decades in the making and require more than a single solution.Urgently.Based on population trends, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has forecast theKiama population will be close to 31,000 by 2041. If you’re trying to rent or buy in the area, you already knowthere are significant pressures on affordability and choice.It’s not surprising that the housing situation in Kiama has reached crisis point. Housing and infrastructure arecomplex and expensive to deliver but inaction means the problem only gets worse with each passing year. Overthe next 20 years, there will need to be investment in infrastructure and services to build the homes for ourgrowing community. Just as important, there will need to be leadership.A mix of short and long term solutions will be needed to house Kiama’s growing population and keep localslocal. If all goes to plan with Council and the process, our Springside Hill project could be delivering the firsthomes by 2027, with more released each year to keep pace with demand.Kiama Council has the task of talking with the community, assessing proposals and ultimately making decisionson where and how Kiama will grow so that it continues to be the place that locals and the growing communityenjoy and want to remain, while also protecting the delightful seaside town that we know and love.Springside Hill is just one solution; others will be needed.The question is, what happens if there is no action on new housing supply? If a teacher, aged care worker andemergency service worker cannot afford to buy or rent now, imagine what it will be like in three, five or 10years’ time.That’s why our 25 per cent guarantee at Springside Hill is so important for the future of Kiama. With affordablehousing managed by our project partner, Housing Trust, and the provision of housing for essential workers andlocals, some of the most valuable people in our community will have the security of a roof over their head.When you look at the location of Springside Hill, adjacent to existing homes, it is the logical solution to Kiama’shousing shortage and can be brought to market sooner than other projects in the area.We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to our proposal and look forward to hosting communityinformation sessions in April where we can hear directly from the most important stakeholders in this process– the community.When it comes to planning, saying no to development is safe. Proposing change runs the risk of upsetting somein the community but if nothing changes, ultimately everyone loses. The families who move elsewhere to havea home and a job; the elderly in aged care homes with not enough nurses; the businesses that can only operateat half their capacity for lack of workers.Before we finalised the Springside Hill proposal we asked you about your concerns, aspirations and thoughts ongrowth. We looked at all the reasons why people might object to building new homes and found solutions thatrepresent a sustainable approach to growth. Solutions around sewerage, stormwater, transport access, viewsand affordability have all been proposed so that only one question remains to be answered.Do we want to keep locals local and continue to be a community with life, energy, and a prosperous future?Please note this is paid content

This week, our Kiama Municipal Council started a process that it hopes will deliver an enduring “culture of meaningful engagement with community and stakeholders”. An online survey of around a dozen questions and associated community pop-ups will ask the community who they are, what they’re interested in hearing about, how they get their information from council and most importantly how they input into Council decision making. And so, begins the much talked about reboot of Council’s “Community Engagement Strategy”. Clearly the refresh of the 2013-2023 strategy could not have come at a better time. With significant controversies and criticisms laid at Council regarding its communication on significant issues like Blue Haven; Council’s overall financial situation; internal legal spats; and how it communicates regarding growth and development, the time seems right for “Your Community, Your Say” to really hit its mark.  Because it’s merely the start of this process, The Bugle’s View is that we must wait and see if there are genuine outcomes and changes in practice. This week we heard from local contributor Lynne Strong who had some powerful words regarding community engagement and a ‘solutions-focused’ approach. The Bugle wholeheartedly agrees that genuine engagement is not about highlighting and focusing on problems, especially when they are the problems of only a few. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. NIMBYs. Recreational complainants. The Bugle has received countless feedback from members of the community who have witnessed Council pander to those who do not want to focus on solutions, they want to focus on stopping anything and everything.  The silent majority. Which also includes young adults. Aspirational entrepreneurs. These are the people that need to feel empowered to engage with Council, be proactive, input into solutions and shape the future for the next generation of our community. We hope that Council is genuine and transparent about this process. We hope that Council will provide for an equitable discussion that includes all parts of the community, both current and future. We hope that Council is ready to embrace the change that is needed to have solution focused conversations with community about the challenges we face.  We hope the community is ready to genuinely engage in this process and set about a course of positive change.  This is The Bugle’s View and we hope we are right.  

I absolutely love local government. Despite some of the controversies, it is the closest form of government to the people and there is so many interesting areas that council is responsible for and managing. Importantly, I believe that local government should work for everyone.Reflecting on my first term of council, it certainly has been a challenge. Within 6 months into the role, we have had difficult decisions to make and received a letter from the NSW Minister for Local Government. The letter was reminding all councillors of our obligations under the Local Government Act, particularly section 8(a). This section is the guiding principles for good decision making for councillors. This section is important, but one of the other sections I believe is also important is section 8(b). This section requires councillors to make decisions of sound financial management and to consider the intergenerational impacts of such decisions. Sadly, I believe such a principle was not considered by those of the past on our council.The decisions of this term of council relating to Bluehaven Bonaira have, no doubt, been the most difficult – perhaps the most difficult in our council’s history. On a personal level, it was uncomfortable. But, as a councillor – and a civic leader - I have an obligation to act in the best interests of all our community and for the future generations that follow.In NSW, there are roughly 11 local government areas that operate an aged care facility - Blayney, Coolamon and Snowy Monaro for example. Formerly, Broken Hill Council had operated an aged care facility. An area with the same sized population as Kiama, but with higher levels of vulnerable communities and in one of the remote parts of NSW. However, they had to sell the facility, as it was sending them broke and placed them at risk of administration. Sound familiar? Many of the other local government areas in NSW are going through that discussion.Kiama Council has finished that debate and did so – unanimously – in February 2023 when it re-confirmed the decision to sell Bluehaven Bonaira. Such a decision was through compromise and retained the Bluehaven Terralong site for future opportunities for our community.Councillors, whether in the remainder of this term or in the next term, should be 100% focused on governance and the administration of independent local government in Kiama. A state government appointed administrator and then becoming a ward of another council, is not an option. Ensuring local control is so important.Local government must service everyone in the community. Council has an obligation to provide services and support for infants, children and teenagers. It must address traffic, parking and road safety issues, flood mitigation and infrastructure and ensuring people with disabilities area able to equally access services. It must recognise all of Kiama’s history and heritage and ensure it is acknowledged and respected. Our natural environment is too important and mitigating and responding to climate change, along with the management of the safety and wellbeing of our animals. Elderly should be supported. And finally, that people can rest in peace with dignity in our cemeteries.These things, plus more, are the responsibility of local government and should be considered as part of the future for our community.Stuart LarkinsKiama CouncillorDisclaimer: The content of this letter solely reflects the views of Stuart Larkins, and do not represent the views of Kiama Municipal Council. 

This week, Michele Adair, CEO of Housing Trust, joined the Traders in Purple team to discuss Springside Hill and the opportunities this brings to both of our organisations, and more importantly to you, the community. This will be our third project with Housing Trust, and we cannot wait to get started. If you’re sick and tired of hearing terms like “housing accord”, “housing crisis”, “housing affordability”, “housing supply” and “housing stress”, then chances are you worked hard to own your own home and have been living the Australian Dream for a number of years. However, it is also pretty likely that you have friends or family who are not as fortunate as you and are desperate to stay in the area and are looking for that opportunity. More than half of locals in Kiama do not own their own home outright. The average cost of a home in Kiama is around 13 times the average income. Around a quarter of homes in Kiama are rental properties. If you’re renting in Kiama, you’re spending more than one-third of your pay on rent. In a few short months there will be no affordable rental homes in Kiama. Zero. People who are renting want the opportunity to buy. And those that cannot afford to rent, who may be staying with friends or relatives, want the opportunity to leave home and live near their parents, not with them. Our work with Housing Trust is not a gimmick. Traders in Purple is committed to a 25 per cent guarantee which is an opportunity for people that are currently locked out of the housing market to live at Springside Hill, and most importantly, to keep locals local. Subject to planning approval, Housing Trust will administer the community and affordable rental housing components of Springside Hill. This will significantly increase the amount of affordable rental housing in the area. We launched our Springside Hill website in early February. We did so because feedback through our community research was clear - you wanted to know more about development projects as they are happening and have input into the process. The Springside Hill team have been responding to feedback, questions, and concerns from the community since day one and we will continue to do so. You may not always love what we have to say but we are committed to providing you with information so you can be informed of the project and its progress. To date, more than 90% of feedback received from the website has been from people wanting more information about when the project will start construction, and when homes can be purchased. Every day more than one person from the community asks us about pricing and timing of delivery. We are ecstatic at the positive response we have received, and we wish we could give you definitive answers! However, at this point in time, the ball is in Kiama Council’s court. They are currently undertaking an assessment of our proposal and we hope to meet with them shortly to discuss next steps. Positive feedback and support from the community will be crucial over the coming months, so we encourage you to get involved and attend one of our community information sessions - details to be released shortly. Ultimately, we want to be delivering beautiful homes and creating jobs for locals, as quickly as possible and your positive words and engagement will help. We understand that Council will be holding their dialogue on future growth in the coming months where they will ask the community its position on a number of proposals, including Springside Hill, which can be brought to market early and others that are longer term. This will be an important time not only for our project, but for the community and those aspiring to live or rent a home in the area. Most importantly, it will be an opportunity for you to voice your support for Springside Hill

Despite the Mayor being on leave for the month of March to address a health issue (get well soon, Mayor!), Council is well and truly back into the swing of things as evidenced by the foreshadowing of a plethora of engagement activities and the Kiama Central Precinct having a packed agenda at their last meeting.  Council will be embarking on a new Community Engagement Strategy which is “taking a fresh new direction, engaging with diverse voices alongside traditional stakeholders, ensuring we have a strategy that truly represents our community". The Bugle looks forward to hearing about this new way of engaging with the entire community, because it is important to hear the views of not just one age group, or a particular cohort of locals. If we want to continue to prosper, we need to ensure we are listening to everyone. Arguably, we as a community have had the same conversation over and over again, how did we protect, how do we stop, how do we stay the same. It appears that Council wants to take a different approach and hear from the younger generation and other parts of the community - those that are looking for jobs, those that are providing jobs, and those that are struggling to obtain and even provide basic services and amenities for our area.   The Bugle is all for this fresh new direction and hopes that it provides for more equitable outcomes.  After a significant delay, it appears Council will now be engaging on its Growth and Housing Strategy which presumably will include how Council will address the significant housing affordability crisis in Kiama.  This coincides with some significant milestones for future growth proposals across the region:· The Southern Region Panel refused the Dido Street subdivision, · South Kiama is in the midst of progressing its development application, · Springside Hill planning proposal has been lodged and is now being assessed by Council. However one proposal has re-emerged and caught our attention - Bombo Quarry.  Bombo Quarry was the only proposal to be mentioned twice by Council in its media release regarding future growth and community engagement. There are proposals that are in ‘the system’ and can deliver housing in the short term, but is Council focused on the very long-term vision at Bombo? The Bugle understands that there are multiple landowners involved in the quarry that would all need to agree on the future plan for the area. And then presumably there’d be a need for remediation and ‘filling’ the site to make it suitable for development now. That is why the last we (officially) heard; Bombo Quarry was a ‘medium term’ solution. We also heard direct from Boral, one of the largest landowners at Bombo, that their plans look to be providing houses ‘in 5-10 years’. Is there something that we’re all missing? Is Bombo Quarry ready for development now? The Bugle’s View is that these are questions that need to be answered, and we look forward to Council consulting with the community and giving us the facts.

Australia’s largest organisation of newspaper publishers has attacked the announcement by Meta that it will no longer negotiate deals with publishers once current agreements expire.Country Press Australia represents more than 230 regional, rural and outer suburban publications across the nation.The organisation was advised through an email from Meta early Friday afternoon that “our company priorities have substantially shifted in the past year and, as a result, we will no longer be making Facebook News Tab available in Australia”.Meta also confirmed “This doesn’t affect our agreement with Country Press Australia which will continue in accordance with its terms and conditions until it expires”.In a subsequent meeting on Friday afternoon between Country Press Australia and Meta it was made clear that Country Press Australia’s agreement with Meta would not be renewed.This is a devastating blow to our members who are party to the agreement. All are publishers of regional and local public interest journalism.Meta has been providing grants to Country Press Australia publishers which has provided vital sustainability.There will be publishers who close the doors and won’t be able to continue supporting their communities with news in the wake of this announcement. These regional and local publishers are the major, and in most cases sole, providers of local public interest journalism in their communities.In times of trouble and in emergency situations, such as during floods and in major bushfire events, the local publisher’s Facebook page is never more important or appreciated by people in our communities.Meta’s actions undermine our democracy in the way the company displays such disdain for the work of the news industry. It also undermines public confidence in the media sector.The most popular Facebook pages in most regional and rural communities are those of the local news publishing company, yet Meta says people don’t go to Facebook for news or political content.What about in times of bushfire and floods or when the chips are down and someone in the community needs help? Local experience would suggest otherwise.If, by Meta’s own admission, Australians don’t go to Facebook for news or political content, then the federal government should heed the advice of Meta and immediately cease advertising on Meta’s platforms.Sadly, jobs will definitely be lost as a result of Meta’s decision, but it’s hard to put a number on this.Given the already well-documented challenges our industry faces (major cost increases for newsprint, ink, energy and the decline in federal government advertising spend), this announcement will force many publishers to confront the issues ahead of them and cut staff. The reaction from our members in the aftermath of Friday’s announcement has been one of deep concern, alarm and even anger. The federal government must act to give assurance to our industry and to support the democratic infrastructure that is the newspaper industry. And it needs to move swiftly, decisively and with purpose. We need government to support the news industry and invoke the news media bargaining code.Our government must also do what it can to assure Australians that the government values the news industry’s role in our democracy to mitigate disruptions to the news industry.Facebook reaped the benefits of our members’ unique local content for many years, and has paid those local and regional publishers for only the last three years and will now not renew their agreement with Country Press Australia.A democracy cannot function without a healthy news sector, and this is now heavily at risk in regional and local communities after Meta’s decision.It is important that the federal government responds swiftly to this decision and considers all possible action including designating Meta under the News Media Bargaining Code and other options available to them and the ACCC.It is vital that news media is adequately compensated for the content that Facebook has been able to build their business from over many years and ensure a strong and robust news media industry which is vital for a healthy democracy.It is also vital that the federal government ensures strong support of the industry now more than ever before and ensures the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP) is finalised urgently.

Can you help?  I am seeking your support to challenge Kiama Municipal Council’s decision to censure me in 21 November 2023 over my radio interview of 21 June 2023. In that interview I gave my honest opinion, in a way which was well researched and measured, about decisions of Council.While I do feel personally aggrieved about the injustice of the process and the decision of Council, this is not just about one individual's case; it's about defending the fundamental right to free speech, and ensuring due process in the way code of conduct complaints are handled.Freedom of speech for you and your elected representatives is a fundamental part of a healthy functioning democracy. Particularly when decisions are being made that will impact you and your community for many years to come.By supporting this legal challenge, you are taking a stand for our collective voice and to ensure a more open and accountable democracy. The freedom to express and debate a range of contested ideas along every step of the journey must be protected.You and your elected representatives must be able to do this without fear of being ridiculed, ostracised or penalised.More information is provided on the Chuffed fund-raising campaign page. If you could make a contribution or a pledge to help me challenge the Council, I would be so grateful.In the unlikely event there will be unspent funds, they will be divided equally between:Illawarra Women’s Health Centre – whose vision is for all women and girls to be respected, safe and healthy and experience full participation and equality in their lives.Reach-Out – who work towards providing better mental health and wellbeing for all young peopleWorld Wildlife Fund – Australia – an organisation that works to conserve the Australia’s and the world's biological diversity and the sustainable use of natural resourcesThank you in advance. Yours sincerely,Karen Renkema-Lang Please note: These contributions do not constitute a political donation and are not tax deductible.The content of this email solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.

Before developing our planning proposal for Springside Hill we conducted extensive research and focus interviews to understand how the community thought about certain issues – your desires and aspirations as well as your concerns. We did this because we understand that you are passionate about your community and lifestyle, and we want Springside Hill to ultimately bring more public and community benefits to the area. You told us loud and clear that Kiama’s ailing sewerage system and future capacity was one of your major concerns.In response to this crucial issue, our design team sought out innovative solutions that reduce the reliance on the existing Sydney Water sewerage system and infrastructure, whilst delivering tangible environmental benefits for the local community.Our approach:Our proposed off-the-grid sewerage and water solution involves the construction of on-site infrastructure dedicated to processing all project wastewater and stormwater completely independent of existing Sydney Water infrastructure. By capturing and processing all of this water, we will be able to harness this water, integrate it, and recycle it. The core of this approach is a Local Water Centre, seamlessly integrated into the landscape without emitting noise or odour. It turns wastewater into high quality recycled water suitable for a range of uses, and is supplemented by an expansion of drinking water storage to eliminate additional burden on peak drinking water demand.Established Success of Off-the-Grid Solutions:These off-grid systems  have been successfully implemented in numerous landmark master-planned residential communities that have been delivered by the likes of Stockland and Frasers. It is a proven technology and approach that we think will complement and integrate into Springside Hill seamlessly, whilst reducing the reliance on existing infrastructure. Environmental and Community Benefits:This approach enables Springside Hill to significantly reduce its reliance on drinking water and achieve drought resilience.  Valuable drinking water resources are no longer used for toilets and other external uses such as irrigation of community open spaces. The water cycle and local stormwater management system will now be integrated with this infrastructure and ensure that there will be a positive contribution to Kiama’s pristine natural environment.  With approximately 40 per cent of Springside Hill to be preserved as green open space, the ability to recycle and harness the water cycle will aid in the maintenance and health of these areas, even during periods of drought. This initiative aligns with our broader environmental and social sustainability strategy, which prioritises the restoration of tree canopies on land previously cleared for what is now unviable agricultural production. Community Consultation and Sustainability:Our off-the-grid initiative is just one aspect of a comprehensive environmental and social sustainability strategy guiding the development of Springside Hill. Throughout the planning stages, we remain committed to refining this strategy in consultation with the community, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of our endeavours.We look forward to continuing the conversation with our most important stakeholders, you, the community. 

Too often nowadays, catching up on the news is a profoundly depressing experience. Across the country, we’re faced with multiple, seemingly-intractable crises – on health, housing, and cost of living. Abroad, the world is once again at war, with deadly conflicts afoot in Ukraine and the Middle East, and a conflict possibly on its way in the South China Sea.Even here in Kiama, we’re dealing with our own issues – with locals fighting to get their rates’ worth as Council fights among itself and our rates continue to go down the gurgler. To flick on the radio first thing or turn on the telly at six o’clock is to expose yourself to wall-to-wall woe, and a daily diet of doom. It's why it’s so important to tell stories about good things happening to good people. This is something The Bugle has done so well for such a long time. Our community coverage this week is testament to this. On Wednesday, Brooke Pittman brought us the story of The Quarry Café at Burnett’s on Barney doing its bit to help elderly locals, by driving them to and from the café and garden nursery. Locals supporting locals.On Friday, we showcased the generosity of local Sheila Lyne, who donated high-quality sound equipment to the music department at Kiama High School, as well as a collection of books belonging to her late husband, Ken. Locals supporting our younger generation and passing on knowledge and wisdom. And, just yesterday, we published a story about Brad Jenkins being awarded the Environmental Warrior of the Year award by Shellharbour Council for his work improving water quality at Dunmore Ponds and helping protect the Minnamurra wetlands and river. Locals improving the environment and our area.We know we won’t win a Pulitzer for putting these pieces to print, but we’re proud to bring them to you – because they matter.

Last Thursday, NSW Police were called to Kiama Council Chambers after an Extraordinary Council Meeting got out of hand. The Meeting was expected to deal with a Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Kathy Rice calling for the suspension of the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira, and the appointment of an investigator from the Office of Local Government to review the divestment process. During the Meeting, Mayor Neil Reilly ruled that a revised version of Cr Rice’s Notice of Motion would not be debated and attempted to move the Meeting into a confidential session. In response, members of the United Services Union in attendance – some of whom were locals – began shouting, intimidating, and making threats of violence against the Mayor and other Councillors. Police were called, and the protestors were moved on. Police also told other locals in attendance – who weren’t associated with the United Services Union – that they weren’t allowed back into the meeting at the request of Council, even though the Mayor hadn’t formally moved a Motion to commence a confidential session. These are the facts. We only know them because The Bugle’s very own Brendon Foye was there when it happened. Brendon was doing his job. That’s why The Bugle was so disappointed to see the barrage of criticism which came Brendon’s way, just for reporting what happened. One Councillor has accused him of “cussing and showing dismissive attitudes”, while another suggested his account of events was “lacking in…journalistic integrity”. For the record, The Bugle backs Brendon’s reporting and so do our readers – we have been inundated with letters of support for simply doing our job and championing free speech. As always, we are committed to bringing you reporting on the issues that matter to our community. Brendon was at the Meeting last Thursday to report on the sale of ratepayer-owned Blue Haven Bonaira – potentially worth $100 million – because it matters. The Bugle brings you stories on the cost of living, mental healthcare, and housing because they matter. And we do it all without fear or favour because that matters too. Of course, we won’t always make everyone happy, and we won’t always tell everyone what they want to hear, but we will always stick to the facts, and we will always tell it like it is.

Within a few weeks the community will be invited to see our proposal for Springside Hill – a master planned community west of the township of Kiama.It is only the first stage in a planning process that will involve the people of Kiama, Council and many other stakeholders. At every step of this process, Traders In Purple is committed to a genuine conversation with the community about Springside Hill.Before we started work on the proposal, we wanted to know what the community thinks and what your most pressing concerns are. Overwhelmingly locals are worried about the high cost of housing and whether they can afford to buy a home or even rent one.88 per cent of locals agree housing affordability is a problem in the area.77 percent of locals are worried their friends and family will be forced to leave the area because housing is too expensive.Springside Hill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the housing crisis and keep locals local.Traders In Purple has long-standing ties to Kiama and the broader Illawarra region, and there are many within the local community who know and trust us.We are proud of our reputation for creating high quality homes and communities, many of them in partnership with the community.We are a trusted partner to governments across Australia. In New South Wales we are partnering with NSW Land and Housing Corporation on five projects, including “Northsea”, overlooking Wollongong Beach. In partnership with Kingsborough Council, we are building a new residential subdivision and town centre 11km north of Hobart. In Queensland, we have worked for decades with Moreton Bay Council and are currently delivering our fourteenth project along the Moreton Bay Peninsula.We commit to our projects and the communities where we work. Every project we start, we finish and our track record of 100 per cent delivery speaks volumes about our commitment and capability. The new homes and communities we have created demonstrate the care we take to produce good urban design outcomes.This week we announced our partnership with Housing Trust that will see Michele Adair and her team own and manage the affordable homes that form part of our 25 per cent guarantee. This guarantee is at the heart of our proposal and we are extremely proud to make this commitment.We think it is important to communicate with the community and provide information about Springside Hill. That is why over the coming months we will be talking to you through The Bugle about our proposal and things that are important to you, and therefore important to us.We will delve into more detail about the housing crisis in Kiama; the creation of more jobs and essential services;sewer and water infrastructure; and urban design.In the meantime, please visit our website springsidehill.com.au which we will update over time.Thank you and we look forward to working with you.Brett Robinson, Traders In Purple CEO

Here at The Bugle we will always champion providing frank and fearless reporting on what is best for the community and have a strong View on what we think that means. So, it is a little strange for us to not have a View on something as important as more than a thousand new homes for our area. Our very own Brendan Foye broke the story of the Springside Hill proposal to significantly increase housing supply at the western end of Kiama. At this stage, full details of the proposal have not been released, but Kiama Council has said that it intends to make all documents available to the public, shortly – a step they normally don’t take, which highlights the importance of the proposal to our future. Of keen interest, and what has widely been reported is a “25 percent guarantee” from the developer Traders in Purple, which is designed to allow those who are presently locked out of the housing market, a helping hand to purchase or rent their own home. This includes “key workers”, first-home buyers, locals and those who are looking for affordable or community rental housing. Whilst no one can disagree that we are in a housing crisis, our View is that we will wait and see the finer details of the proposal before having a position on what this means for our community. Questions need to be asked and answered:How is this different to the South Kiama proposal?-What is the plan for sewerage given the constraints on sewer and Sydney Water?-Do we finally get another supermarket and other jobs?-This is the start of the rezoning process, and the developer has said that construction will take place ‘over decades’. When the documents are made public, The Bugle, will review them in detail so we can provide the community with a well-informed View.But first things first, we want to hear from you.We are in a housing crisis where the average house price is $1.3m and it costs $700 a week to rent a home.Is this the solution to housing affordability for the area?Would it be better for Kiama to go ‘up’ and not ‘out’? Let us know, because at this stage and throughout the planning process, your View matters.