Dear Bugle Reader, The NSW budget was a mixed bag for our community. Clearly, walking the corridors of Parliament and continuing to apply the pressure to the government has seen rewards for our community, but there are also some very poor decisions that are cause for great concern. The budget confirms that the Regional Seniors Travel Card will be cut. Keep in mind, the then opposition leader, now Premier, said prior to the election that he would ‘roll over’ cost of living measures like the Regional Seniors Travel Card. Then in government, Labor said they would ‘pause’ the card. In fact, we had the Members for Shellharbour and South Coast lob into Hindmarsh Park to tell the world that I was misleading people when this clearly wasn’t the case. I will continue to fight the government on this issue. We have had more than 7,000 people sign our community petition opposing the cuts. If you oppose these cuts, feel free to sign the petition which can be found in my office in Terralong Street. These cuts come on top of Labor’s already announced plans to scale back the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate and the First Lap Voucher. The NSW Government will also increase coal royalties by 30% in this budget. I have used Parliament to move to establish an inquiry into this tax hike because, like all taxes of this nature, this will simply be passed onto consumers. 70% of the State’s energy is still generated by coal and a tax increase of 30% will have a significant impact on household energy bills. My other concern about this budget is that there is lots of ‘planning’ money but not any ‘doing’ money. In fact, none of Labor’s major local election promises will see construction start in this term. The NSW Budget reveals that planning on all of NSW Labor’s key election commitments will see planning continue across the forward estimates without a single dollar allocated to any real delivery. However, I am pleased that Labor has kept funding I secured from the previous government to upgrade Shoalhaven Hospital and construct a new hospital at Shellharbour. Both of these projects commenced before the election and the challenge will be finding the professional staff to meet demand. I have only just received the budget papers and will continue to work through them and pursue every opportunity available for our community.

Paul Keating famously characterised his 1988-89 Federal Budget as “bringing home the bacon”. That Budget - which followed years of tough reforms and belt-tightening – spent big on welfare, education, housing and health. In other words, it delivered in spades for Labor’s true believers. In his first Budget as New South Wales Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey has done his best, but there’s just as many cuts as there are big-ticket spending items. In this sense, Mookhey isn’t bringing home the bacon – he’s bringing home a couple of avocados. The big-ticket items have been well publicised: pay rises for teachers and health workers, a new $3.6 billion Essential Services Fund to bolster public sector pay, $1.4 billion for new schools in the regions and $2.2 billion housing and infrastructure plan.The spending cuts, too, have been prominently covered: pay freezes for bureaucratic fat cats, the drastic scaling back of the Active and Creative Kids vouchers, and the junking of the Powerhouse Museum redevelopment in Sydney. With the Budget in the red and net debt rocketing towards $180 billion in 2026, it’s easy to see why the Treasurer is moving to rein in spending. Indeed, a poll published this week in the Sydney Morning Herald found 49 per cent of voters support reducing spending to achieve a surplus and pay off debt. Surprisingly, the Government is predicting a modest surplus of $844 million next financial year, though a lot of things will have to go right in order for that to happen. Of course, The Bugle is most interested in what this Budget delivers for our readers and our region. That’s why it’s good to see multiple investments in NSW regional infrastructure and services, like $438 million to hire 500 extra paramedics and $700 million to upgrade and maintain roads.However, closer to home, the situation is a little more disappointing.Thankfully the Government has re-committed to significant pre-existing infrastructure projects like the Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Hospitals and several significant road upgrades like the Mount Ousley and Jervis Bay Road intersections on the Princes Highway.But as for new projects, it is slim pickings. The Government has directed Transport for NSW to “commence planning” on a number of projects – a process which will take years. It’s possible that the community won’t see projects like the Dapto M1 entry and exit ramps and the East Nowra Sub Arterial in this decade.   The Bugle is also interested in what this Budget does to address two issues which we’ve given countless column inches to in recent months: the cost of living and the housing crisis. On the former, it’s good to see some more money go to families to help with soaring power bills via increases to the Family Energy Rebate and the Seniors Energy Rebate. On the latter, it looks as if there’s less to cheer about. There’s $224 million for a new Essential Housing Package which, true to its name, will help support social housing and homelessness. The South Coast will also share in $60 million to trial 100 “build-to-rent” dwellings, developed by the Government’s development company – Landcom.As welcome as all this is, it’s The Bugle’s view that there’s still not enough being done to bring the Great Australian Dream back into reach for young people in our area. The Bugle is watching the Greater Cities Commission and Kiama Council with keen interest and in particular how their forthcoming housing targets are going to address housing and rental stress in the region.As Business Illawarra states, the lack of affordable housing in the region is now quickly turning a social crisis into an economic crisis. Following the success of our call out to readers on plans for a new offshore wind farm, The Bugle is doing the same in response to this Budget. What did the Government get right? What did they get wrong? Have they done enough for our area? Let us know your views, and we’ll keep the conversation going.

When we started this column back in May, we did so for a simple reason. We wanted to drive a new conversation about Kiama’s future – a big, bold, inclusive conversation about making our part of the world the best place to live, work, and raise a family. And, as part of this conversation, we wanted to elevate the voices of average Mums and Dads, key workers, renters, young adults, and small business owners – the people who make our community tick, but don’t always have their voices heard on issues that matter.That’s why it was so pleasing to see the extraordinary response to the last edition of The Bugle’s View, on the Federal Government’s new proposal to establish an offshore wind zone off the coast of the Illawarra. We were overwhelmed by the number of letters we received from loyal readers; a dozen of which were showcased in Mark Whalan’s article earlier this week. Two of the best came from Howard H Jones and Kiama local Christine Meyer. Howard is in favour of the project. He wrote to us about the role it could play in fighting climate change: “..we can play a role in the amelioration of this human generated threat and, provided the visual impacts are within reason, get behind this proposal and be part of the climate change solution.” Christine isn’t in favour of the project. She wrote to us about potential negative impacts on the local environment: “…I am concerned for the environment of whales, fish and birds’ safety…also turning our picturesque coastline into an eyesore. We moved here for the beauty and peaceful lifestyle that we currently enjoy.” While some correspondents agreed with Howard, and some agreed with Christine – all of them were thoughtful, well-informed, and passionate. Another common theme was – whether they agree with the proposal or not – locals want what’s right for the area. They want policymakers and decision makers to take notice and listen. This is a good thing. Because our call-out for feedback on this issue was so successful, The Bugle plans to seek our readers’ views again, on matters of local importance. It's our very strong view that debate, deliberation and (respectful) disagreement leads to better outcomes for all of us. And we’re committed to facilitating this discussion because there is one thing that should not be taken for granted: our community. 

Spring feverWith the change of season, comes a change of perspective.I suppose I have suffered the hard knocks of life, like we all have. I’ve pulled through OK,with a few scars to show, but given as good as I got. But I never thought about my ownmortality at all really, until I was diagnosed with cancer.Again.For the third time.Before my recent diagnosis, I had the constant illusion of boundless time. It was easy to assume there'd always be another moment to rectify mistakes, make amends, or maybeeven become a responsible adult!Now as it turns out, I am not going to die. As part of a world-wide trial for cancer immunotherapy, myself and many others in my situation may live longer, happier lives wherethe power of the body's own immune system has been used to control and maybe eliminate cancer.While the contemplation of my mortality has had a profound effect on me, the luck of survivalhas shifted my perceptions, values, and priorities. I consider myself more than lucky.I feel changed.Fittingly, all this is taking place at this time of spring, the season of renewal. It’s time to lookat the extraordinary paradox of my being and my mortality as a pair of lenses that, whenfocused together, the blurry aspects of life come into sharp focus.Here’s some early observations both from my own life and in relation to being Mayor ofKiama.1. We can learn strategy from doctors.For a doctor, the challenge appears as a set of signs and symptoms together with a history.A clinical diagnosis is made, identifying a disease. A therapeutic approach is chosen and thisis the doctor’s guiding policy. Then there is a specific prescription for treatment and a set ofcoherent actions to be taken. Diagnosis, guiding policy and a plan of action. That’s strategy!At Council, we’ve been working hard to put new strategies, policies and plans in place. Nowwe need to follow them through.2. Ask better questions get better answersI plan to use my newfound awareness of life's brevity to serve as a motivation to ask better,more direct questions. This will lead to better outcomes. Both in the chamber and elsewhere,I expect.Mayors column6 September 2023Spring fever3. Collaborative committeesWe have planted the seeds for two new Council committees. These bodies will look at andhelp guide us on the matters that really matter. If we nurture these, they will thrive andproduce thoughtful, useful and practical advice to beautify our decision making.4. Motivated staffWe’ve restructured our organisation and made several new appointments, particularly of lateto round out our management team. New staff bring fresh energy that will help us all grow.We will see the already established attributes such as personal development, productivityand leadership, bloom into career excellence.5. Be kind to yourself.This kind of revelation won’t cover up past mistakes, but reveals the answer isn't to be moreperfect, it's to be more understanding – first of yourself, then of others.Metaphorically, with my illness and potential for overcoming it, the recognition of the passingof winter is often matched with a powerful joy in life and love of Spring.Here’s to new shoots everywhere!ENDS

Dear Bugle Readers, I recently attended a morning tea to celebrate the wonderful work of Meals on Wheels. A huge shout out to all the people that support this great local service and a special mention to Ann Dawes who was there when Kiama Meals on Wheels kicked off 53 years ago. Parliament will be sitting next week, and the first State Budget of the Minns Labor Government will be delivered the week after. As always, I will be using the Parliamentary sittings to take up important issues on behalf of our local community. FIGHTING AGAINST MORE REGIONAL CUTS  Unfortunately, the Premier Chris Minns has once again been caught again out cutting even more funding to regional NSW. We know about cuts to the Regional Seniors Travel Card, the Active Kids Rebate, the Creative Kids Rebate, the First Lap Voucher, and the Regional Student Travel Card. Now – they’ve cutting regional tourism grants programs that help generate jobs and investment in our community.The Regional Event Fund identifies and supports events in regional NSW which act as a cornerstone for flagship tourism events by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long-term benefits for regional areas like Kiama.The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is designed to help stakeholders create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives. The Fund aims to enrich these business events with opportunities offered by iconic towns and regions like ours.Despite the desperate pleas of local small business tourism operators who have raised their genuine concerns directly with me as their local MP, the NSW Minns Labor Government have ignored these concerns and cut both of these important funding programs which is a very disappointing outcome for local tourism businesses.I will be raising these matters in Parliament next week.NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH NSW Small Business Month is next month. This month was created for small businesses across New South Wales to attend events aligned to their individual business interests. Coordinated by the NSW Small Business Commission, NSW Small Business Month brings together small businesses with local business chambers, industry associations, other not-for-profits, large businesses, and all levels of government. It’s an important reminder to shop local and support local jobs, local families, and local businesses. Have a great week! Gareth.

Some of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history belong to women. Dawn Fraser winning her third successive gold in the 100-metres freestyle at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Evonne Goolagong-Cawley clinching her second Wimbledon title in 1980, almost a decade after winning for the first time. Cathy Freeman powering along the home straight on her way to Olympic glory at Stadium Australia in 2000. These were all extraordinary moments, and they are all extraordinary athletes. “Dawnie”, Evonne, and Cathy didn’t just inspire a nation, they inspired the next generation of female runners, tennis players and swimmers. And so it will be with our Matildas, whose brilliant World Cup run came to an end last week with an agonising third place playoff loss to Sweden. The Bugle is in awe of what the Matildas achieved on the field. Like millions of Australians, we were wowed by Kyra Cooney-Cross’ raw pace, Mackenzie Arnold’s rock-solid defence, and Sam Kerr’s missile-like strikes. The game against France – which went down to the wire on penalties – was a particular highlight. The Bugle is also in awe of what the Matildas achieved off the field. The response from the Australian public, including our Kiama community, has been quite something. Stadiums have sold out, pubs have been packed, and live sites have been well attended by Tilly fans young and old. It's been written and said ad nauseam, but there’s no doubt the Matildas’ success will be a gamechanger for women and girls’ sport across the country. That’s why it was encouraging to see the Federal Government announce a $200 million investment in women’s sporting facilities and equipment at the grassroots level. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “we want women and girls everywhere in Australia to have the facilities and the support to choose a sport they love”. He's right. The Bugle hopes some of that investment ends up in Kiama because we have no doubt that somewhere in the crowd at the Hindmarsh Park live site – amid the green and gold flags and picnic blankets – was a future Matilda.  Contact us to tell us your favourite Matildas moment, and what women’s sporting initiatives the Government should be looking at in Kiama. 

First it was on, then it was off – now offshore wind may be back on off the coast of Kiama. Earlier this week, The Bugle’s Brendon Foye brought us big news from the Illawarra Clean Energy Summit & Expo. The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, has announced plans for a 1,400 square kilometre offshore wind zone, stretching from Wombarra in the north to Gerringong in the south. The project – which would see turbines installed at least 30 kilometres off Kiama’s coast – would generate enough energy to power 3.4 million homes. It will also provide 2,500 jobs during construction and 1,250 jobs on an ongoing basis. While few of The Bugle’s readers would be against more good jobs and more clean energy, many are likely to have concerns around the environmental impact of such a project – and what that could mean for tourism and the local economy. This news is also sure to give many of our readers a heavy dose of déjà vu. It was only two months ago that BlueFloat Energy canned its plans to plant 150 turbines off Kiama’s shoreline, following significant community blowback. The Bugle reckons that blowback could’ve been measured in gigawatts! At the very least, it’s a good thing that Minister Bowen has promised to hold a fair dinkum consultation on this new project. He says: “this is a genuine consultation and I encourage all community members to get involved and have their say on the proposed zone”. Community information sessions will be held at Kiama Leagues Club on Wednesday 20th September and Gerringong Town Hall on Thursday 21st September, with the formal consultation period to run until Monday 16th October. Irrespective of where locals land on this issue, it’s The Bugle’s very strong view that everyone should get an opportunity to have their say and that the Federal Government needs to listen. At the time of the BlueFloat decision, Kiama State MP, Gareth Ward welcomed the decision to move their project away from Kiama. We have not heard from Mr Ward following this latest development from the Federal Government. In a statement on Facebook, Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips provided details about the consultation period and said the project “presents a huge economic opportunity”. Here at The Bugle, we’ll do everything we can to make sure that our community’s voice is heard. But ultimately it starts with you. Please contact us and tell us whether you think, on balance, a new offshore wind turbine farm is good for Kiama.

Sustainability: how we thriveI’ve recently taken to the road in our new Mayoral vehicle, which is an EV (electric vehicle).This has prompted me to think about sustainability.Pillar two of our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: we thrive in a sustainable environment.But what on earth does that mean?‘Sustainability’ can be challenging to define, yet to me, it is very real. It’s a lens through which I view all issues. I consider sustainability to be an inter-generational contract – basically living life to the fullest without compromising future generations' ability to do the same.‘Environment’ is two worlds. One is the world around you, and the other one is the world within you. So, I try to adopt a principle that suits each of those worlds. That is: ‘Think for yourself, act for everyone’.Environmental sustainability is one reason that when it came time to choose a new car for the mayor’s position, I wanted it to be Kiama Council’s first fully-electric fleet vehicle.I know many in our community have already taken the step of purchasing an EV, and I have spoken to many more who are considering their options.At Kiama Council, our net zero goals, as outlined in our Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan, are something we take seriously. My EV joins some hybrid vehicles in our passenger fleet and our new waste truck, which meets Euro V1 (6) emissions standards. On other fronts, we’ve also upgraded our street lighting to LEDs to be more energy efficient, and we’re working with Endeavour Energy on a project to install the first community battery in our municipality – every bit helps.Financial sustainability is a concept that we talk about a lot in Council, and you’ll probably be aware that the Councillors and I have made big decisions to help steer us back towards financial sustainability – we’re forecast to be back in the black by 2026.Looking beyond our own books, economic sustainability involves Council helping foster a local and regional economy that promotes long-term stability and resilience. In this area, we’ve recently launched our Signature Community Events Grants program to provide a better funding model for local festivals and events.Cultural sustainability is another area Council works hard at. Preserving and celebrating cultural diversity is essential for sustainable development. Valuing and sharing diverse cultural heritage, traditions, and knowledge can enrich societies and foster a sense of identity and belonging.We recently hosted the regional NAIDOC Awards and in November, we’ll host a new event: an Indian Festival, with input from the Kiama and District Business Chamber, the Consul General and the Indian community. It is shaping up to be a fantastic cultural, economic, and fun exchange.Ethical sustainability: This aspect revolves around promoting ethical behaviour and responsible practices in all aspects of council life. As our mid-year review showed, we havecompleted 18 actions and counting from the Hopwood report into Council’s governance systems and practices. Recognising the importance of everyone’s well-being and emotional resilience as crucial components of a sustainable future helps build inter-generational sustainability. This is why I spoke to our Federal Member, Fiona Philips, who is working with us to establish a Headspace here in our LGA, to provide additional mental health support for our youth.Finally, social sustainability means focusing on creating urban and rural planning that is inclusive and equitable. Where we plan for today, with tomorrow in mind.This involves engaging with our community to ensure we understand our aligned vision and objectives. Our Local Strategic Planning Statement and Kiama Town Centre Plan goes a long way to achieving development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Dear Bugle reader, Parliament sat last week, and I didn’t waste a minute. I gave notice of a bill to amend NSW electoral law to require voters to show some form of ID when they go to vote. The bill will also require the Electoral Commission to use electronic elector mark-off once someone has been issued with ballot papers. My bill comes amidst revolutions that thousands of people at the 2019 State Election voted twice! I take any form of fraud very seriously and requiring voters to show some form of identification combined with electronic mark-off will provide a layer of protection for a legitimate vote being outweighed by anyone committing electoral fraud. This approach has previously been recommended by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters but both major parties have ignored these recommendations. My bill will mean that both sides will have to nail their colours to the mast on measures designed to safeguard our democracy. I look forward to seeing their approach. I also concluded debate on a private members bill to provide for greater accountability measures for Ministers on handling government money and government grants. My bill proposed, among other things, that an unethical awarding of taxpayer funds by way of a grant, should give rise to a serious breach of the Ministerial Code. Interestingly, Labor supported provisions of my bill when they were in opposition. But now in Government, it seems they conveniently take a different view. Whilst the vote was close due to some crossbench support, the bill was defeated with Labor voting against the bill. I also used Question Time last week to ask the Premier about how the NSW Government is cleaning up expenditure of private sector consultancies used by NSW Government agencies. Whilst you may have been following the Canberra controversy involving the ‘Big Four’ consultancies, much of the current debate was kicked off due to an inquiry into a little known NSW entity called TAHE (Transport Asset Holding Entity). As a result of the inquiry into TAHE, the Legislative Council Public Accountability Committee proposed some very sensible recommendations to better manage expenditure on government consultancies and reduce possible conflicts of interest. My question to the Premier was very simple; what are you doing to implement these recommendations? The Premier took my question on notice and offered to provide a written reply to the House in due course. Suffice to say, I take the expenditure of taxpayer funds very seriously and I look forward to reading the Premier’s reply.

The Bugle’s View – Affordability crisis.You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure out Kiama is in the middle of a housing affordability crisis. But the problem in our part of the world is now so bad, according to new research, that you may need to be a rocket scientist just to afford the rent. Business Illawarra’s Solutions to the Affordable Housing Crisis report – covered by The Bugle’s Donna Portland - shows more than 20,000 essential workers across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region are experiencing housing stress.In other words, the people that make our community tick – like nurses, labourers, and Aged Care workers – are finding it the hardest to keep a roof over their head. Consider this hypothetical case study included the Judith Stubbs & Associates research which fed into Business Illawarra’s report: “A child care worker wanting to move out of Sydney to take up a job in Kiama, and earning $772 per week could pay $231 in rent, and could not afford to rent a one-bedroom unit in the cheapest part of the region. They would pay more than half their income to rent a one bedroom unit in Kiama ($400), noting that these are in very short supply”. It's the Bugle’s View that this is unacceptable, unsustainable, and unfair – and it needs fixing. It’s not just important for families that we fix it, it’s important for small businesses too.Businesses Illawarra’s report also found 93 per cent of businesses across the region are worried about worker shortages, and 43 per cent of them see “an underlying lack of affordable housing” as the cause.Of course, much of this won’t come as a surprise to The Bugle’s readership – it is more confirmation than revelation. The important question is: what do we do about it? Business Illawarra makes a few common-sense suggestions like identifying more vacant government-owned land for development, expedite approvals for affordable housing developments, and consider up-to-date shortfall figures in regional housing targets.  They’ve also launched a new campaign to accelerate housing supply, which most people agree is a big part of addressing the crisis. Perhaps most valuable though is their call for all stakeholders – all levels of government, industry, and community – to act on solutions within their control. As always, The Bugle supports having a broader public conversation about making Kiama the best place to live, work, and raise a family, but the best way to fix this problem is to get shovels in the ground.

Public NoticeUnlocking Bombo Quarry: Aboriginal Archaeological Baseline AssessmentInvitation to Register an InterestArtefact Heritage on behalf of Transport Asset Holding Entity of New South Wales (TAHE) and Boral (the landowners) is undertaking an Aboriginal Archaeological Baseline Assessment of the Bombo Quarry Precinct. The applicants are exploring opportunities to rehabilitate the Bombo Quarry Precinct to inform future uses. The Precinct, located within the Kiama Local Government Area, comprises approximately 105 hectares of land located approximately two kilometres north of the Kiama township. The TAHE site remains an active ballast quarry which services Sydney Trains.We are inviting registrations of interest in the project from Aboriginal groups and individuals who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places in the locality of the Precinct. The results of consultation may be utilised for the preparation of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR) to support a future rehabilitation Development Application and Planning Proposal.Please note that the consultation guidelines require us to provide details of the Registered Aboriginal Parties to Heritage NSW (formerly Office of Environment and Heritage) and the Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council. In your response could you please advise if you would not like your details to be provided.Please register your interest in the project by end of day on 10/08/2023, by contacting:Jonathan BennettArtefact Heritage ServicesSuite 56, Jones Bay Wharf, 26-32 Pirrama Rd,Pyrmont NSW 2009or email [email protected] contact details for the landowners are:Adnan VoloderTransport Asset Holding EntityLevel 15, 130 Pitt St, [email protected] McArthurBoral Resources (NSW)Level 3, Triniti 2, 39 Delhi Road, North Ryde NSW [email protected]

We are living in a time of extraordinary technological progress. Right now, Artificial Intelligence is painting portraits and writing essays, Teslas are driving themselves, and Jeff Bezos is blasting people into space on Star Trek-esque rockets just for fun. Think about how the humble iPhone – with all its apps and widgets – has transformed our everyday lives. With the flick of a finger, we can pay the water bill, do the grocery run, and figure out the fastest way to get home from work. It's The Bugle’s view that innovation is a force for good, and we need plenty more of it. Along those lines, it’s staggering to think that Generation ChatGPT finds it so hard to build and maintain high-quality infrastructure. In the last two weeks, the Bugle has brought you two important stories about a near-fatal incident on Jamberoo Road and the long-awaited re-opening of Jamberoo Mountain Road. In the former, Mark Whalan spoke to Jamberoo local Kate Harris who hit an Angus Yearling while driving home from Albion Park earlier this month. With social media reports of cows loose on local roads on the up, Kate is calling for flashing warning lights to be deployed when animals are loose. In the latter, Cassandra Zaucer covered the re-opening of Jamberoo Mountain Road following its closure due to landslides and flood water last year. Her coverage noted that – while the road re-opened ahead of schedule – the length of its closure had a huge impact on local businesses including Kings Pattiserie & Café, Nerilee Antiques and Jamberoo Pub. Wherever there are cows there will be loose cows, and storms and landslides are a fact of life. Surely, though, there’s room for more innovation when it comes to planning, building, and maintaining essential infrastructure. How can we harness technology to get people where they need to go more quickly and more safely? Can we find more creative solutions to make sure local business don’t suffer when repairs (inevitably) have to be made? These questions are well above The Bugle’s pay grade, and they can’t just be answered locally. So, it was good see Prime Minister – and self-confessed “infrastructure nerd” - Anthony Albanese talking about building more high-quality roads during his visit to the South Coast this week. The fact the PM is talking the talk on more and better roads for our part of the world is good news. Now it’s up to State Government to play their parts and ensure we get the best outcomes for our community....

Dear Bugle Reader,  As you may be aware, I have been pushing for an upgrade of the South Coast Line. Whilst I’ve been able to secure more seats and more services over the years, one of the upgrades I’m pushing for at present is the installation of a passing loop south of Kiama to double the capacity of the line between Kiama and Bomaderry. Whilst some have argued for the duplication of the entire line, this four kilometre passing loop is an elegant solution that makes practical and economic sense. Add to this new hybrid trains that run on both diesel and electric lines and you deliver the benefits of an electrified line for a fraction of the price of laying and electrifying an additional set of tracks. Under questioning from me in the NSW Parliament, the Regional Roads Minister has admitted that the NSW Labor Government are putting this rail upgrade on-hold whilst they undertake yet another ‘review’. You can view my questions and the Minister’s answer by clicking here.  I know how hard it is to get things done. But I also won’t let this government get away with cutting projects from our region so they can take the money to Sydney. Sydney gets enough investment, and our growing region needs investments that make a real difference. FREE RAT TESTS I have free Rapid Antigen Tests available from my office at 102 Terralong Street for those that would like them. We have secured these tests from the NSW Department of Health. No appointment is required, and you can drop-in and pick up yours today. REGIONAL SENIORS TRAVEL CARD Whilst you are in my office, you may want to sign my petition opposing NSW Labor’s cuts to the Regional Seniors Travel Card. We are seeking to secure 10,000 signatures on our petition so we can have this matter debated in Parliament. If you would like to, you can also take sheets away and have your friends and family sign them. Given that the Government said it wouldn’t cut this card when it was in opposition, I will be doing all that I can to hold them to account.  Have a great week! Gareth

The fourth pillar of Kiama Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: “We are part of aconnected and liveable community”.Being part of a connected and liveable community means that the council aims to foster asense of belonging and cohesion among you good folk, while ensuring that the communityremains vibrant, sustainable, and enjoyable. One way we work to achieve this is through ourcouncil committees, which we have recently restructured.I congratulate the successful applicants to council’s two newest committees: We haveappointed the following four community members to the Sustainable CommunitiesCommittee: Michael Bowden, Liam Pettigrew, Narreda Grimley and Alan Smith. They willjoin Councillor Imogen Draisma and myself as the councillor representatives on thiscommittee.The following four applicants were appointed to the Infrastructure and LiveabilityCommittee: Roy Rogers, Tony Gilmour, Jennifer Wulff (nee Heath) and Dr Fiona Mackie.They will join Councillor Mark Croxford and Councillor Stuart Larkins on the committee.We are so grateful to the many community members who applied for the roles and Iencourage their participation throughout the committee term as invited experts whereappropriate.Overall, community participation on a council committee can lead to more inclusive,effective, and people-centric decision-making processes, ultimately benefiting thecommunity's wellbeing and development.This new structure will be well tested over the next 12 months. We don’t expect that it will beperfect, nothing really is, but we can learn from any mistakes along the way and make surewe don’t repeat them. I believe that if we have a positive mindset, we’re likely to see any littlehiccups as an opportunity to improve and add greater value to this innovative method ofcommittees.Beyond the next 12 months, I’ve been thinking about how we deliver on the goals outlined inthe fourth pillar of our CSP, which is a long-term plan that outlines the vision, strategy, andpriorities of your council in serving its community. That’s you!I’ll break down the key elements of this strategic pillar:A connected community: This focuses on building strong social connections amongcommunity members. It involves initiatives to promote community engagement, inclusivity,and participation in local events, projects, and decision-making processes. The goal is tocreate a sense of belonging and unity among us all.A liveable community: This aspect emphasises creating an environment where people canlead fulfilling and comfortable lives. It includes various elements such as access to essentialservices, well-designed public spaces, recreational facilities, and infrastructure that supportsa high quality of life. A liveable community is also one that is sustainable in the long term.This involves efforts to protect and preserve the natural environment, promote eco-friendlypractices, and ensure responsible urban planning and development that balances the needsof the present without compromising the needs of the future.Your council also focuses on fostering economic growth and social development within thecommunity. I believe this includes support for local businesses, creating job opportunities,and addressing social issues to ensure a thriving and prosperous community.Our goal may be a lofty one, but with your support we can continue creating a cohesive,inclusive, and sustainable community where all members of our LGA enjoy a high quality oflife, social interaction, and access to services and amenities.Don’t forget that I run an open door policy... Email or call ahead to book an appointment orjust drop in. I’m always up for a chat if I’m around.

It seems the hits just keep on coming in this cost-of-living crisis.Last month, there was bad news on power bills.The Australian Energy Regulator confirmed South Coast residents are set to pay 25 per cent more for electricity. That means local households are on the hook for another $594 a year, just to keep the lights on.Last week, there was more bad news on mortgages.Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn told a parliamentary hearing in Canberra that only 60 per cent of the impacts of recent rate hikes since last May have flowed on through the economy. In other words, there’s plenty of sting in the rate rise tail.This week, there was more bad news – this time on the cost of essentials. Data from Coles – obtained by The Australian newspaper – shows shoppers are going without the things they need in a bid to save cash. Sales of hand sanitiser and soap is down almost 30 per cent, handwash is down 7 per cent, “environmentally friendly” cleaning products are down almost 16 per cent, and carpet cleaning products are down almost 11 per cent.Put together, these numbers show people are really feeling the pinch.You don’t need to be a PHD economist to see it’s getting harder and harder to come up with the cash to heat and eat, and keep a roof over your head.Speaking of PHD economists, it’s been hard to miss the news this week about the departure of Reserve Bank Governor, Philip Lowe.It's fair to say Dr Lowe has divided opinion.There’s no doubt his ill-fated prediction that interest rates were going nowhere until 2024 will go down as one of the all-time clangers. There’s also no doubt the fact he was the public face of twelve successive rate rises didn’t do him any favours.While Dr Lowe’s successor, Michelle Bullock, is primarily making headlines as the first woman appointed to lead the Bank, The Bugle is more interested in her regional roots.Growing up in Armidale, she attended Armidale High School and the University of New England. Ms Bullock’s reign as RBA will be closely monitored and it is heartening to know that the head honcho is cognisant of the needs of workers and families outside the big cities. We all know that Kiama is a great place to live, work and raise a family. But in order to continue our prosperous trajectory, we also need to grow. Our infrastructure is under constant strain but our population is growing at a remarkable rate. We need to build more houses, better roads and more investment. The Bugle hopes that the right balance between addressing the economic uncertainty of the present day does not compromise investment and economic prosperity in the near future.

The pillars of local wisdom At the end of this month, Kiama Council will host the Local Government Regional Government NAIDOC Awards for the Illawarra. The event moves each year between four Council areas – Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Wollongong. Despite being considerably smaller than our neighbouring councils, we’re pulling together what will be a fantastic community event. This doesn’t surprise me, as we put on so many impressive local events here in Kiama – events which are much more about the people who participate and contribute than the institutions behind them. I am a tragic for old movies and (despite my wife Wendy’s protests) I just love Lawrence of Arabia; a timeless classic. Following his war service in 1919, TE Lawrence, (Lawrence of Arabia) took to writing ‘The Seven Pillars of Wisdom’, an autobiographical account of his time as a British advisor to Bedouin forces in forces in World War I. I am currently reading it. He states in this book that the Bedouins believe in ‘…persons, not institutions.’ I agree, and if I can relate that to our own situation, that’s why our events such as the NAIDOC Awards, and our community focused policies, programs and projects are so successful. It’s also why we have a Community Strategic Plan (CSP). It comes from the people, not the institution. Our CSP contains five pillars, not the seven of Lawrence, but with the same idea… Pillar 1: We belong and contribute Pillar 2: We thrive in a sustainable environment Pillar 3: We create a strong and diverse economy Pillar 4: We are part of a connected and liveable community Pillar 5: We expect accountable and transparent leadership; a Council that is financially sustainable The first pillar "We belong and contribute" is what I am focusing on this week. It promotes inclusivity, engagement, and active participation within the broader community. Here's what it means to me: inclusivity and diversity. Our aim should be to create an inclusive environment where all members of the community feel welcome, respected, and represented. This involves efforts to embrace diversity, promote equity, and ensure that everyone has a voice in the decision-making processes. Council is doing its bit by developing and implementing policies and practices that explicitly support diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, we’ve recently updated our policy on recruitment and hiring practices to ensure anti-discrimination measures, and the promotion of diverse perspectives. Mayor’s column 12 July 2023 Pillars of wisdom I recognise the importance of actively involving community members in shaping policies, programs, and initiatives. We have sought members from the community to join two new committees . Engaging with our community was how we created the CSP. As well as looking forward to Kiama Council’s presentation of the NAIDOC Awards at The Pavilion from 5pm, 29 July 2023, which celebrates the achievements of local First Nations people, we promote inclusion in many other ways. We try to make sure that council works towards fostering a sense of belonging and unity among community members, promoting social connections through our libraries, Leisure Centre, SENTRAL (“the Youthie”), Blue Haven, special events and even in urban design: building strong neighbourhoods, and facilitating activities that bring people together. "We belong and contribute" highlights our commitment to creating an inclusive, engaged, and empowered community. TE Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a challenging read, but like so many challenges, there’s a strong message, ‘Believe in people, not institutions!’

Dear readers, One of the things I love most about being your local MP is recognising important events and celebrating the contribution of people in our community. You may qualify for a letter from the King if you are: Celebrating your 60th wedding anniversaryCelebrating your 100th birthday You may qualify for a letter from the Governor of NSW if you are: Celebrating your 50th wedding anniversaryCelebrating your 95th birthday If you have represented the State of NSW in sport, you also qualify for an official State Representative Award signed by the Premier of NSW and me. I also have a range of Kiama Electorate Community Service, volunteer, and achievement awards. Feel free to contact my office if you would like further information on any of these awards. SERVICE NSW CELEBRATES 10 YEARS This month marks 10 years since we officially opened the very first Service NSW centre anyway in NSW. When the then Premier Barry O’Farrell announced that multiple government services would be moved under one roof, I remember lobbying him to ensure Kiama had the very first. And that’s exactly what happened. I think everyone would agree, the team at Service NSW in Kiama do an outstanding job and I’m so pleased that the feedback about their dedication and commitment continues to be as positive and strong as ever. LABOR AXES REGIONAL SENIORS TRAVEL CARD Whilst Chris Minns and Labor promised not to axe the Regional Seniors Travel Card if they were elected, the Labor Government have broken yet another promise with the card stopped from 7th July. Whilst any cards issues before this date can still be used, the government has broken its promise and won’t be issuing any more for the foreseeable future. I’m opposing this cut and to have this matter debated in Parliament, I have started a petition and we need 10,000 signatures to kick off the debate. If you oppose cutting the Regional Seniors Travel Card, feel free to pop into my office and sign our petition. FREE RAT TESTS I have free Rapid Antigen Tests available in my office. Feel free to drop in and collect yours today. KIAMA WINTER FESTIVAL A huge shout out to the organisers of the Kiama Winter Festival. The ice skating at Black Beach Reserve was a massive highlight. I got my stakes on and enjoyed every minute of it! (And I achieved my main objective of not falling over!). WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER In addition to this column in the Kiama Bugle, I publish a weekly column which contains information on local issues and updates on my activities in our community and in Parliament. If you would like to receive this weekly e-newsletter, please don’t hesitate to send me an email to [email protected] so you can be added to the list. Have a great week!

Last week in Parliament I supported moves to cap politicians’ wages for the next two years.I went into politics to serve our local community – not to feather my own nest!Given the cost-of-living challenges everyone is facing, it’s my strong view that proposed increases in politicians’ wages could be better spent on our frontline public servants such as ambulance offices and nurses - as well as bolstering our frontline homelessness services.Last week, I introduced a Private Members Bill to provide greater transparency and accountability on government grants. Governments do not have money – its taxpayers money and I want to ensure your hard-earned dollars are spent appropriately.The bill will ensure that breaches of transparency measures have serious consequences for a Minister who inappropriately handles government funds. The Bill will be debated in Parliament in coming weeks.I love using the Parliament to recognise local people doing great things and this week was no exception.I was delighted to deliver a Community Recognition Statement on the floor of the House to congratulate Sophie Yates and Hallie Richmond of Kiama High School, who have been selected to attend the International Youth Science Forum in London this coming July.Both Sophie and Hallie are extremely passionate science students who have been provided with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with global innovators throughout the scientific community. The International Youth Science Forum is a 14-day program held at various prestigious establishments. They include the Royal Geographic Society, Imperial College London, Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as a multitude of other recognised institutions.Sophie and Hallie have advised me that they will have access to a range of specialist lectures, demonstrations and keynote addresses from Nobel Prize winners and other scientific trailblazers, as well as scientific visits to world-class laboratories.Sophie and Hallie will be connecting with around 500 young people from across 70 countries, allowing for the global expansion of scientific outreach and the inspiration of the next generation. I was delighted to make a small contribution to their fundraising efforts and I congratulate both of them on their success.Over the weekend I attended a National Tree Planting Day and attended the 20th annual Gerringong Rotary Change-Over. Tonight it is the Rotary Club of Bomaderry’s turn who are celebrating 53 years of service.This week in Parliament I’ll have some special visitors to Parliament with my mum and some close friends joining me in the House for lunch to celebrate my birthday. Looking forward to seeing them!Have a great week. Gareth.

This week in The Bugle’s View, we want to do something reporters are not supposed to do.We want to talk about ourselves.We think it’s an important time to remind you, our readers, about why exactly we do what we do.Plain and simple, our job is to tell the stories of our community.It is to make sure you, our readers, are properly informed about what is happening all around town.Just in the last two weeks, The Bugle has been at its best doing an extensive job reporting on local issues, big and small.Cassandra Zaucer helped the parents of Shellharbour Anglican College voice their concerns about unsafe and overcrowded school buses.Brendon Foye covered the decision of Blue Float Energy not to establish its South Pacific Offshore Wind Project off the coast of Kiama.While our new General Manager, Belle Woods, made the news herself when she covered her own run in with a Triton Ute at the entrance to Blowhole Point (you will be pleased to know Belle is getting better by the day).Stories like these matter to our special and close-knit community. And it is thanks to our frank and fearless reporters for facilitating this.We have also launched The Bugle’s View to build on this reporting, by starting conversations about the issues that matter and asking tough questions to address them.That is why we have brought you The Bugle’s View on issues like the cost of living, the cost of housing and how we can turn parts of our town into greater tourist destination hot spots to ensure job security and opportunities for our youth and community.Rest assured; we are certainly not going to stop now.We are going to redouble our efforts and keep going, because we know that is what you, our readers, expect. Try as we might, we also acknowledge that we cannot be everywhere at once. As such, we invite you to continue write to us - to make sure that we cover the issues that matter to the community, no matter how big or small.It is important to remember that you, our readers, also happen to be our family, friends, neighbours, and fellow community members.We are proud to be your Bugle.