NEWS

We gratefully reproduce many articles from the South Coast Register newspaper. The link to the online SCR is: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news See also our Related Links page.

Community Announcement:

Level one water restrictions will be in effect throughout the Shoalhaven from Monday 5th October 2009. The use of sprinklers and unattended hoses, the use of water on paved areas and hard surfaces will be banned. One handheld hose per property can be used at any time. All vehicles and boats can be washed on grassed areas with one handheld hose and topping up existing swimming pools may take place with one handheld hose only. Source: Shoalhaven Water Director Carmel Krogh

22 January 2010

‘I KNOW THEIR PAIN’ - Having lost everything in a fire, a Huskisson store owner comes to the aid of the Haitians BY ADAM WRIGHT South Coast Register, link with picture: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/news/general/i-know-their-pain-having-lost-everything-in-a-fire-a-huskisson-store-owner-comes-to-the-aid-of-the-haitians/1731692.aspx on 22 Jan 2010.

WOOLLAMIA resident Wayland Mason has a personal insight into what it’s like to lose everything, which is why he’s setting out to help the earthquake ravaged people of Haiti. Mr Mason and his family lost their home and all their possessions in a house fire last year.

All of his takings from his produce store Source in Huskisson on Tuesday February 2 will be used to help the Red Cross Haiti appeal.

“It wasn’t all that long ago that I was in a desperate situation with nothing but the clothes on my back,” he said.

“The community and our friends rallied around us and helped us but the people of Haiti don’t have any community left to help them. “I’ve been thinking how that support felt, I remember how humbling it was to have friends and people turn up offering assistance. “Seeing the coverage of Haiti on television made me feel sick – the anarchy as people try to get basic supplies of food and water. “I believe the gift of giving is better than receiving, so I am devoting a day’s takings to the appeal. “If anyone has produce they would like to contribute to the cause they are more than welcome. “The global economic crisis has made many people realise that things that happen a world away can still have an effect locally,” Mr Mason said.

In Haiti Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief in the most needed areas. Priorities are to bring medical aid to cover the needs of thousands of people who were injured in the quake, and to prevent the spread of illness and diseases. To donate to the Haiti earthquake appeal visit www.redcross.org.au or phone 1800 811 700.

18 January 2010

Update from HWCV Chair Leslie Lockwood – 18 January 2010

Happy New Year to all

A reminder that HWCV is having a stall at the Huskisson Duck Derby at Moona Moona Creek on Australia Day, Tuesday 26 January. We have previously asked for donations of ready-to-go lamingtons - we are going to sell them individually as we are next to a stall selling coffee. At the same time, we want to make local property owners, be they visitors or those who live locally, that HWCV exists and what we do.

Now that Christmas is over, I'm sure you all have more time, so please contact 4441 5034 or 4441 5838 to offer your assistance on the day, or to let us know you can provide lamingtons.

The Development Control Plan (DCP99) for the 3(g) business areas away from the main street was placed on public view in late November. It covers the areas in whch a number of development applications have been received and some approved, like Fegen, Beach, Jervis and Murdoch Streets. The document sets the aims of what is to be achieved in these areas and also some definite controls such as heights, densities and setbacks, among others. The time for comment has been extended and the closing date is 29 January. Please consider and put your views to Council

The Committee has put together the following points we suggest might help you in writing to Council about this issue. They also allow you to see the HWCV position on this amendment. Please use any of these you wish (in your own words) and add any other points you wish to your submission

If any of you wish to see the document, I can email the pdf file to you - size is 8.5 Mb as it is a 66 page document with may diagrams and photos. Also see the links on the Current Projects page. Please ring me on 4441 7284 if you require any further information.

Points on DCP99 Amendment 1

1. Does not take account of the strong public view expressed at the first meeting on the Beach St North precinct ie no change, and the public have never seen the report of that meeting. However if there are to be changes, then applaud Ruker's reading of the public that all precincts be considered separately (The resultant heights in the Fegen St and Murdoch Street precincts have a lesser height of 10m or 3 storeys with the 3rd storey set back, than in Beach St North and South where it is 13m or 4 storeys)

2. While it was stated by Council in approving the Development at 1 Beach Street that this approval would not set a precedent for similar developments in the area, the height limit of the Beach St North & South precincts is now 13m or 4 storeys ie Council has gone against its own statement

3. While a broad aim is to encourage residential densities that support the Huskisson commercial centre, we are never given examples of the studies that say what level of dwelling density will do this.

4. Parking remains a problem for developments as paying Section 94 contributions for under-provision of parking on the development means Council will need to provide that parking elsewhere. Will this be possible if all of these developments go ahead? We still need an overall parking study for Huskisson.

5. An additional broad aim for the Plan could be to have Huskisson as the best example of how a village can "grow" to accommodate a modest increase in population, business and resident amenity thus making it a viable village for all. That said, this needs to be followed by solutions for this. An example would be to do with windows. It is suggested in the Plan that a number of the dwellings have the east as the orientation of primary windows. Being concerned about the future of the planet, there should be a large number of the windows on the north side and large enough set backs to allow for deciduous trees that will give privacy in summer and let energy in during winter.

6. Set backs must be larger in order to allow taller vegetation to soften the taller buildings. While street vegetation can do this for some long street views, the "walkability" of the area means vegetation on the building lots is also needed, so that buildings are not "in your face" as you pass them by. This will also assist in maintaining privacy for neighbouring buildings.

7. Pleasing to see that there is a recognition of the need to protect precinct 4B for environmental purposes.

8. There should be no development allowable below the 100 year flood line in precinct 4A. A reconsideration of building at all in this area should be taken given that it will not be easily protected from fire with precinct 4B remaining undeveloped added to other surrounding bush.

9. Pleasing to see there are no bonuses allowable for amalgamation of lots.

Traffic Study in Huskisson

Council will be carrying out a traffic assessment to determine the need to pursue a bypass. It will take place on the coming weekend, Friday 22 and Sat. 23 January 2010, with a follow up on Friday 12 February. These days have been chosen as they represent busy days during the holiday period as well as a less busy school term day. The information will be used in conjunction with tube counts from the traffic counters already in place on the roads.

Traffic turning movement counts will be taken at strategic intersections and pedestrian crossing movements will be surveyed along Owen Street.

Further, Council has advised the study will be undertaken by contractors using video cameras rather than having many staff manually recording numberplates to ascertain volume and origin of vehicles. They have legally assessed the privacy issues of this method and are comfortable in using it. Some carparking spaces in the village will be occupied all day by those carrying out the survey.

The Voice has been kept well informed of the process and will take up the offer of Council to have them speak to us at the February meeting of the Voice. Any questions on the study should be directed to the project manager, Council's Transport Engineer, Mr Brett Williams on 4429 3142 quoting reference 1627E.

Link to a copy of the above update here.

Leslie Lockwood

Chair

Huskisson & Woollamia Community Voice

14 January 2010

Disclaimer: not a local girl, but we admire her pluck.

Brave teen sailor Jessica Watson rounds Cape Horn

EXCLUSIVE by Amanda Lulham from: The Daily Telegraph Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/brave-teen-sailor-jessica-watson-rounds-cape-horn/story-e6freuy9-1225818994941

Brave effort ... lone teen sailor Jessica Watson / Pic: Jessica Watson Source: The Daily Telegraph

12 January 2010

Disclaimer: not specifically about Huskisson, but most of us visit Nowra CBD for shopping and entertainment.

CCTV Cameras and the Nowra CBD (extract from press release by Shoalhaven City Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward): Shoalhaven City Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward has responded to isolated criticism of Council’s decision to install CCTV cameras in the Nowra CBD. An action has recently been brought in the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal in relation to the installation of CCTV cameras in the Nowra CBD. “If you’re not doing anything wrong, then what do you have to hide? Whilst it would be nice to live in a world where there was no crime and anti-social behaviour, the reality is a significant departure from the ideal,” Cr Ward said.

“Council has never suggested that the installation of CCTV cameras is the one single answer to all our problems, but it is part of the tapestry of measures we can and should use to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour in the Nowra CBD......In the last term of Council, I tabled thousands of signatures on petitions calling on Council to work with all levels of Government to improve safety and security in the Nowra CBD. In the interests of fairness and balance, I will be launching a petition in support of CCTV cameras in the Nowra CBD”. A copy of this petition is here.

“Whilst everyone has a right to privacy, these cameras are not being placed in peoples homes – they’re monitoring a public location in order to improve community safety and security”, Cr Ward concluded. Full release here.

A useful reference document, ‘CCTV as a crime prevention measure’ (National Community Crime Prevention Programme, Australian Government) is available, click here.

4 January 2010

The World comes to Jervis Bay

LAND AHOY: Cruise ship The World entered Jervis Bay on Wednesday morning, where the 241 passengers were able to head into Huskisson for tours of the bay and Booderee National Park. (Picture by the South Coast Register).

Owned and operated by Bahamas-based ResidenSea Ltd, accommodation on The World is a mix of 110 privately owned apartments and 88 guest suites, and can cost up to $4750 per night for a six bedroom apartment. From the South Coast Register, full article and picture in the link here.

Get ready for more traffic

‘It’s frightening to realise that the number of heavy truck (B-doubles or trucks with trailer) movements will increase by over 20,000 a year when the Tomerong Tip is working to its full capacity. These trucks will be coming through Berry, Bomaderry and Nowra. Some trucks will travel from the Wingecarribee Shire - how will they get there - can it possibly be through winding Moss Vale Rd and Kangaroo Valley? How will Milton/Ulladulla handle extra, large truck movements coming from the south? ...Pity help residents/shop owners along the Princes Highway at Berry, Bomaderry and Nowra...’. Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Read more...

24 December 2009

The Vincentia to Huskisson annual Santa Ride was held on 10th Dec 2009 (charity event for Rural Fire Service and SES - refer to the 4th Dec story under). We thank Stephen Quigg for permission to use the images. Slideshow - of the pics under - file 1.70MB - manual advance by cursor arrow, or mouse left/right, also use Pause/Break key, and Esc key.

Pics - click on the (two separate) composite images under to see slightly larger thumbnails. Back button to return to this page.

17 December 2009

The HWCV has been advised that the purpose of the draft amendment below is - to allow Council to require contributions for the provision of service lanes needed to cater for the demand from future development.

Proposal Title: HUSKISSON BUSINESS 3(G) ZONE DEVELOPMENT PRECINCTS - DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS AND URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES (DRAFT AMENDMENT NO 1)

Type: DCP-099.1

Summary: Development Control Plan (DCP) 99 (Draft Amendment No.1)- Huskisson Business 3(g) Zone Development Precincts – Development Controls and Urban Design Guidelines Draft Amendment No 1 to DCP 99 contains development controls and urban design guidelines to apply to four (4) precincts in Huskisson, zoned Business 3(g).

Location: HUSKISSON

Exhibition Location: CITY ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE - NOWRA

Also on exhibition at: COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE - ULLADULLA

Closing Date: 15 Jan 2010

Go to Shoalhaven City Council website, links under:

http://www3.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/applications/LepDcpS94/pex.asp :scroll down to LEP/DCP section

or:

http://www3.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/applications/LepDcpS94/pex_detail.asp?eID=DCP099.1 :direct link

11 December 2009

Alcohol-prohibited zones - Shoalhaven City Council parks and reserves declared alcohol prohibited zones 24 hours a day on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Australia Day, various around the city, including: Huskisson - White Sands Park, Moona Moona Creek Reserve and Voyager Park. Read the full list from the South Coast Register. Read the South Coast Register Editorial: Trialling the [alcohol free areas] ban is better than doing nothing at all. Read the SCR article on the meeting of Councillors and NSW Police: The wowsers vs the civil libertarians.

Department of Planning water down Albatross protection:

Shoalhaven City Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward will ask the Department of Planning to explain to the Navy and the community why the Department has ‘watered down’ development buffer controls around HMAS Albatross. On 1 December 2009, Council received is conditional certificate to exhibit its draft Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan (SLEP) pursuant to s65(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) with the Department’s proposed provisions opening the door to development around the high security Navy installation.

“Section 53 of the current SLEP directs Council not to consent to any development that would result in additional dwellings around HMAS Albatross. Whilst there is provision in the existing SLEP to permit development with Navy consent, s7.10 of the draft SLEP proposed by the Department of Planning removes this clause entirely,” Cr Ward said....“Councillors are due to be briefed on the Departments proposals for our draft SLEP next Wednesday. I will be expressing my strongest objection to adopting any plan that involves watering down provisions that are designed to protect and secure HMAS Albatross” Cr Ward concluded. Full release read here

9 December 2009

Disclaimer: the following commentary on climate change is presented for info only. It should not necessarily be deemed the view of the HWCV.

[Climate change] Just one more baseless scare - like the 26 before

Quote from source: http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/ on Wed 9th Dec 2009 (10:43 am)

‘...It’s the work of South Australian academic Dr Kesten C. Green and American forecasting expert J. Scott Armstrong: We summarize evidence showing that the global warming alarm movement has more of the character of a political movement than that of a scientific controversy. We then make forecasts of the effects and outcomes of this movement using a structured analysis of analogous situations—a method that has been shown to produce accurate forecasts for conflict situations….Our preliminary findings are that analogous alarms were presented as “scientific,” but none were based on scientific forecasting procedures. Every alarming forecast proved to be false; the predicted adverse effects either did not occur or were minor...

...The structured analogies approach suggests that the current global warming alarm is simply the latest example of a common social phenomenon: an alarm based on unscientific forecasts of a calamity. We conclude that the global warming alarm will fade, but not before much additional harm is done by governments and individuals making inferior decisions on the basis of unscientific forecasts….Moreover, the claim that nearly all scientists agree has been shown to be false by surveys and by petitions signed by identified scientists with relevant qualifications (e.g., Bray and von Storch 2007; Robinson, Robinson and Soon 2007). Despite published and verifiable evidence that the claim of scientific consensus is false, global warming alarmists continue to repeat this claim…’ Unquote. Full article read here... Also: Abbott on the move, PM stuck in muddle from The Australian on 22 Dec 2009.

Also: Resisting climate change hysteria by Richard S. Lindzen, Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at MIT (in Quadrant Online on 26 July 2009).

Also: Climate science on thin ice from The Australian on 19 January 2010

7 December 2009

PUBLICAN BACKS BAN - Husky Pub’s licensee says police have the right idea

The publican of the Husky Pub, Paul McGroder, has backed Police local area commander Superintendent Wayne Starling’s call for 24-hour bans to be imposed on council parks and reserves on New Year’s Eve.

Paul McGroder, who is licensee and part owner of the Husky Pub and former head of the Shoalhaven Liquor Accord, released a statement on Friday in which he threw his support behind Supt Starling. “I completely support Superintendent Starling’s plans to extend the alcohol free bans for specific event days,” he said….“As we have seen in Huskisson, an extreme minority of our community, fuelled by alcohol and drugs, can turn what should be festivals of celebration into front page headlines and incidents that disgust tourists and locals alike and harm the greatest driver to our local economy, tourism.”

Mr McGroder was referring to ugly scenes in Huskisson’s White Sands Park last Australia Day involving crowds of drunks engaging in fights and antisocial behaviour. “We are talking of four days a year, here, not forever and only for a trial period,” Mr McGroder said. From the South Coast Register, full article and picture in the link. Read more...

4 December 2009

The Vincentia to Huskisson Charity Santa Ride has become as much an annual event as Christmas itself. Since the first ride four years ago, the event has continued to grow. However, organiser Brenda van Heuzen has put out a call for more Santas – 300 more, to be precise, to help her hit the 500 mark. Article and picture from the South Coast Register.

RED ALERT: Last year’s Santa Ride was massive; this year’s will be even bigger.

15 October 2009

Lawyers argue as pollution runs for 30 years: Polluted water has leaked from a former Sydney garbage dump for almost 30 years as an increasingly bitter legal battle rages over who is responsible and who should stop it. Big corporation Brambles said mistakes, mismanagement and inaction by a federal department caused the leak from the Industrial Waste Collection (IWC) site at Lucas Heights but the Federal Government says a Brambles company is "principle polluter" and must pay to fix it. The water is tainted with "a range of contaminates" including "heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon solvents", according to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority...a fractured rock barrier between the two sites...caused “groundwater to move between the two sites and allowed the water to pick up pollutants in the landfill and flow out into the river catchment area”. From the Daily Telegraph on 9 October 2009 Read the full article...

Push to open Huskisson’s old airfield: (originally in the SCR on 1st July 2009) A disused airfield near Huskisson could be reactivated if pilot and aviation enthusiast Glenn Crees’ hopes come to fruition: The airfield is in an old pine forest about one kilometre west of the Huskisson township. Mr Crees, who holds a lease for that portion of the land, plans to get the field up to a standard that could accommodate light and recreational aircraft….He said the aircraft flight boundary known as the Visual Flight Rule (VFR) lane cut across part of the field which meant all aircraft wanting to use the facility must get clearance from HMAS Albatross whenever the Navy base was open. Picture in the article from the South Coast Register. Read more...

24 September 2009

[from 11 Sept SCR Letters] Mega tip bound to grow further: ‘Those who think the proposed waste dump on Tomerong Creek is small scale should reconsider. At an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes it would be one-sixth the size of Australia’s biggest dump at Lucas Heights, which occupies a site of 166 hectares. Tomerong Waste Pty Ltd has twice that area available. Once the dump is established, expansion is inevitable, especially with the South Coast population predicted to rise by 60,000 over the next 25 years. Lucas Heights is due to close in 15 years I wonder where the Sydney overload will go then?’ Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Letter here...

21 September 2009

Quarry could be transformed: ‘So, someone wants to fill a quarry in Tomerong with waste. “Big deal,” you may say. “It’s not going to affect me.” But the Shoalhaven mega-tip has the potential to affect us all. Our primary industry of tourism could be seriously harmed if the pristine credentials of Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin are compromised by even a hint of poisonous leachate seeping into our precious waterways. The noise, exhaust, danger and sheer inconvenience of the 20,000 truck movements per year are not just Tomerong’s problem. Trucks could be coming from the south up the Princes Highway; from the north through Berry; from the west through Kangaroo Valley (poor old Hampden Bridge) and /or the new Main Road 92...In Cornwall, a huge china-clay pit was transformed into the ‘Eden Project’, now one of the UK’s top garden and conservation attractions (www.edenproject.com). If Mayor Paul Green really wants to boost tourism and turn Shoalhaven City into a garden, what better opportunity?’ Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Letter here… (More info on the mega-tip proposal may be found on the Current Projects page).