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NEWS |
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AUGUST to OCTOBER 2009 NEWS ARCHIVES Click here to return to the current News page
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 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...
23 September 2009 Extra time for tip objections: Community pressure has forced Shoalhaven City Council to extend the time allowed for people to make submissions on the proposed tip in Tomerong Quarry. That pressure is mounting, with 205 people signing a petition against the tip plans at the Tomerong market on the weekend. The petition was presented to Shoalhaven Mayor Paul Green ahead of Monday’s council meeting during a protest rally outside the City Administrative Centre calling for more time to prepare objections to the tip. Organised by community action group Shoalhaven’s Unwanted Tip (SHUT), the protest claimed the four weeks allocated for submissions was insufficient because the proposal had taken years to prepare and was highly technical. Councillor Green told the gathering of about 50 people council had already extended the time for submissions by three weeks to October 16, and had organised a meeting on October 1 [at Vincentia High School, 7:00pm] to hear residents’ concerns.....“Council is not the determining authority for this proposed development, but council does have an obligation to assess the development and provide a report to the Regional Panel,” [Council development planner] Mr Fletcher said. “We will be providing this report from our professional staff.” With the extended public consultation the JRPP is expected to consider the tip application in December. From the South Coast Register. Read more...
[White Sands] Park ruined by hooligans: ‘Why has White Sands Park at Huskisson become a hang out for losers? Sunday afternoon I take my two young kids for a play at the rope park and two youths decide to tease my son, obviously bored. When I ask then to knock it off, they take offence, swing down off the ropes like a couple of apes and with chests puffed out and decide they want to fight the Dad. I managed to talk my way out of it and thankfully the kids didn’t hear all that was said but what is wrong with some of these local morons? Haven’t you got something better to do than hang around a playground and pick on kids? This isn’t the first time this sort of thing has happened at the rope park. Lucky there will be a jail at South Nowra for them soon.’ Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Read more...
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).
16 September 2009 (We received this flyer in the mail):Say NO to Shoalhaven Mega TipHelp our council reject the private enterprise application, which is being determined by a Joint Regional Planning Panel [and not our council] 2 million tonnes of rubbish, approx 90% from outside our area Bega,Eurobodalla,Illawarra, etc and South East Region of NSW [does that mean Sydney?]Public Meeting: Thursday 1st October 2009, 7:00pm at Vincentia High School: More info on Current Projects page Contamination &Pollution risk to Jervis Bay [Marine Park], St George’s Basin and local communities. Devaluation of our property and a decline in our tourism...[visit the Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay home of some of the world’s whitest beaches and the Mega Tip. [don’t really go hand in hand] Risk of severe bush fire as the tip will contain, bottles, glass, lead based paint and products, oil filled rags, filter, dangerous waste containers, all combustible [One mistake by human error and it will be Dec 2001/Jan 2002 all over again] We are being warned of Catastrophic conditions in the Shoalhaven by the Rural Fire Service via radio and newspapers. The proposed Tip is a huge fire-starter on our door step. ACT NOW : Send a letter of objection to: The General Manager, Shoalhaven City Council PO Box 42 Nowra NSW 2541. Quote DA09/2077 or email Council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au Submissions close: 25th September 2009
14 September 2009 Yes to cops in caravan parks: ‘I would like to congratulate Shoalhaven City Council for taking the initiative and forward thinking in accommodating the extra police we get in our area over the Christmas period in council-run caravan parks. Our population expands to three times its normal level over this period and to think that the only people who move into our area are honest and trustworthy is naive in the extreme...While accommodating the police at the [Albatross Navy] base may place them close to Nowra station, it segregates them from the hot spots where the trouble occurs year after year. While the visiting public does spend time in Nowra, most of time is spent around the beach areas with families, and these are the areas that will benefit from an extended police presence’. From a Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Read more…
Silent Auction: some pics from the Sun 13th Sept closing event at the Lady Denman Museum. Thanks everyone, donors and bidders, and everyone who came along just to appreciate the artists works, for participating in the HWCV Silent Auction. With your help and generosity we raised a total of $2,308. Click on the composite below to see slightly larger thumbnail images. See the final bids here
7 September 2009 NSW Police - Accommodation assistance over the Christmas-New Year Holiday Period - Mayoral Minute for 8 September 2009 council meeting: ‘NSW Police, Shoalhaven Local Area Command, have requested assistance with their attempts to have more police allocated to the Shoalhaven Area over the Christmas/New Year holidays...I have met with Mark Murdoch, the Assistant Commissioner, Southern Region Command in regard to this issue and he has provided me with evidence of the increase in activity that the police are involved in through this period, and is keen to allocate additional police resources to the Shoalhaven area across this period...I have asked Holiday Haven management staff to book a cabin at Shoalhaven Heads, Crookhaven Heads, Huskisson & Ulladulla Tourist Parks to provide accommodation for any additional police posted to the Shoalhaven area for this period. I realise that cabins in Tourist Parks across this period are very heavily booked, and that the revenue foregone would be a considerable amount ($26,350). I also understand that Council employs contract managers at these Tourist Parks who are remunerated based on incentive contracts where reductions in revenue cost them money…RECOMMENDED that Council provide free accommodation for additional police allocated to the Shoalhaven Area across the Christmas/New Year school holiday period, and that an amount of $26,350 be transferred to Holiday Haven Tourist Parks from General Fund Accumulated Funds to reimburse this Business Units for the accommodation costs.’ ..Mayor Paul Green Full Mayoral Minute document here...
Fresh approach is most welcome: ‘The public hearing on Wednesday in Shoalhaven City Council’s proposed reclassification of the Owen Street carpark in Huskisson was a surprisingly pleasant experience for the 50 or so residents and business owners of the Bay and Basin who attended. Whereas previous council meetings and workshops have been remarkable for an approach of going through the motions when council didn’t want to hear what was being said, at this meeting we had a chairperson who actively listened and sought to clarify rather than manipulate and close down discussion. This approach should be applauded and celebrated. It is the very type of consultative approach the community has been asking for. Let’s hope it now becomes the standard. It’s a pity we did not have more than one of our elected councillors at the meeting but let’s also hope they show some true leadership and listen to what was clearly and unanimously said. Selling this public land for a multi-storey development is not in the public interest.’ Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Read more
4 September 2009 Husky carpark sale gets thumbs down: Huskisson’s future growth and prosperity could be threatened by plans to sell the town’s biggest public carpark, a meeting was told on Wednesday night. About 40 people attended the public hearing at Vincentia High School, held as part of Shoalhaven City Council plans to reclassify the Owen Street [‘bottleshop’] carpark from community land to operational, allowing it to be sold. Development company Huscorp attempted to buy the land more than a year ago and the sale was all but signed, sealed and delivered, when council suspended negotiations amid concerns the site had not been properly reclassified to allow its sale. It became clear during the public hearing that any attempts to reclassify the land faced stiff opposition not only from the community, but also from within council. Chaired by Viv Straw from consultants GHD, the meeting was given assurances no matter what happened to the block of land, council would insist it continue to offer at least the same number of parking spaces it already had. However, local residents and business operators claimed that was insufficient, as parking was already at a premium in Huskisson and council was in effect trading off the town’s ability to expand the carpark to meet future needs. While there was a guarantee 78 parking spaces would continue to be offered if the site was sold and redeveloped, residents and business owners said the parking spaces may not be suitable for the type of vehicles and visitors Huskisson attracted. Marco Verdugo gave the example of cars carrying kayaks, which he said could not access underground parking. The number of people visiting Huskisson to kayak created “a huge industry, and it’s growing exponentially every year”, Mr Verdugo said. In addition, people arrived in Huskisson in motor homes, or towing caravans or boats, for activities including scuba diving or to spend the day cruising Jervis Bay, followed by shopping and dining. “It’s all being compounded,” said business operator Shirley Batchelor, who said people would bypass the town if they could not find suitable and safe places to park. Huskisson Chamber of Commerce representative Dean McKinnon spoke out against the prospect of the land being sold and redeveloped. “We are pro-business, but not pro one business to the detriment of all the other businesses,” he said. During the meeting questions were also raised about whether any future development, particularly if it included a residential component, would actually take up some of the spaces supposed to be set aside for public parking. But it was not just members of the public raising concerns, as Shoalhaven City Council representative Cr John Fergusson also expressed his trepidation about the plan. “To some extent the reclassification does become a bit of a blank cheque,” he said. GHD is putting together in a report all issues raised during the meeting, with the report going to Shoalhaven City Council as part of its considerations. From the South Coast Register. Article with picture here.
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED - Navy gets its first new MRH90 war bird: Two of only eight brand new MRH90 military helicopters currently in Australia arrived at HMAS Albatross on Wednesday afternoon, marking a new era in military aviation. The aircraft will remain at Albatross for six weeks to undergo testing by a specialist flight trials unit to develop the envelope for its capability...The MRH 90 will replace the Navy’s ageing Sea King and the Army’s Blackhawk. From the South Coast Register. Article with pictures here...
28 August 2009 Conflict of interest complaint dismissed by [Council] General Manager: Shoalhaven City Council’s General Manager Russ Pigg has lashed out at a complaint involving Councillor Robert Miller and a potential conflict of interest. “Having assessed the complaint and issues raised, I consider that the complaint is bordering on vexatious,” Mr Pigg said. Questions were raised this week about Cr Miller debating the merits of money being spent on sealing part of Little Forest Road at Milton, as he leased three properties on the road. However after the questions were raised it was revealed all three properties were accessed from the section of road that had already been sealed...“While the motives of the complainant can’t be questioned, it could be interpreted that this is an attempt to use the media to silence or intimidate councillors such as Cr Miller, who speak out passionately about matters affecting their local areas,” Mr Pigg said. From the South Coast Register. Read more...
24 August 2009 Ex Huscorp director jailed for fraud: A former director of controversial development company Huscorp has been jailed for a minimum of three years on fraud charges. In the Sydney District Court on Friday, Buddy Bechara was jailed for four years and nine months for obtaining a financial advantage by deception, and three years for dealing with the proceeds of crime, in an amount more than $100,000. The sentences are to be served concurrently, with a minimum of three years to be served before Bechara is eligible for parole. Bechara had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were laid by the Australian Tax Office in September, 2007, but he was convicted during a trial. Bechara was charged with fraudulently claiming $241,632 relating to Emerex Pty Ltd. The case was not linked to his involvement with Huscorp, which came to prominence last year over controversial development plans in Huskisson and at Nowra’s gateway site. Another former Huscorp director, David Kertebani, is also awaiting sentencing on fraud charges. After pleading guilty to two charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, Kertebani is due to face sentencing in the Sydney District Court on September 18. From the South Coast Register. Read more...
21 August 2009 Questions for the General Manager [Subject: Council Rangers] “The bureaucratic empire strikes back. There’s an old saying, ‘Never get between a bureaucrat or a politician and their taxpayer-funded perks.’ Don’t ever dare to question their cosy gentlemen’s club. In his reply to my letter commenting on the ranger service of council, [General Manager] Mr Russ Pigg basically called me an uninformed liar. Unlike bureaucrats, I make mistakes quite often and even admit to them. Did you ever hear anyone at council admit to even the smallest of errors? ” From a Letter to the Editor, South Coast Register. Read more...
19 August 2009 Huscorp man for sentence FORMER Huscorp director David Kertebani is still awaiting sentencing on dishonesty charges. Kertebani was due to be sentenced in the Sydney District Court on Friday after pleading guilty to two charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception, however the case was adjourned until September 18. The charges relate to two claims totalling more that $500,000 in GST refunds late in 2005. From the South Coast Register. Read more…
Community Participation meetings - Bush Fire Risk Management Plan. From Shoalhaven City Council at: http://www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Environment/BushFire/Default.htm The Shoalhaven Bush Fire Management Committee will be holding a series of community meetings to provide the background on what the BFMC is, and how and why a new Bush Fire Risk Management Plan is being prepared.
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Saturday 15th August |
9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m |
Tomerong Village Markets |
Information Stall |
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Saturday 22nd August |
10.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m |
Basin View Fire Station |
Static Display |
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Wednesday 26th August |
7.00 p.m |
Ulladulla Civic Centre |
Presentation |
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Thursday 27th August |
7.00 p.m |
Fire Control Centre – Nowra |
Presentation |
· Send your comments, thoughts and suggestions about bushfire management in the Shoalhaven.
· Write to the Executive Officer, Shoalhaven BFMC, PO Box 372 Nowra, 2541. The information gathered will help in the preparation of an up-to-date Bush Fire Risk Management Plan, a draft of which will be exhibited for public comment later this year.
See a presentation that explains how you can be involved (Power Point - 1.85 MB)
Check this link to the NSW Rural Fire Service http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=537 -this link takes you directly to the BFMC Policy Directory. Scroll through the list of adopted policies to find Policy 1/2008 – Bush Fire Risk Management and Annexure A, B & I.
5 August 2009
Honey, I shrunk the coast: Expensive coastal land could be left virtually worthless as global warming leads to rising sea levels and increased erosion. Predictions of increased coastal erosion have forced changes to planning regulations, with a report to Shoalhaven City Council’s meeting last week predicting areas available for development on some coastal blocks would be greatly reduced, while on others they would disappear completely.
Maps of erosion zones were drawn up in 2004 to help guide development on the Shoalhaven’s coastal areas, however the predictions of rising sea levels linked to carbon dioxide emissions have resulted in the maps changing.
The original predictions of erosion up to 2050 are now expected to match what will happen by 2025, with larger zones reflecting what is expected to occur by 2050, when water levels are predicted to rise by 40cm, and 2100 when the sea level is expected to be 90cm higher. From the South Coast Register Read more...
1 August 2009
The Environmental Defenders Office are preparing a free community information booklet about development in coastal communities. Please help them to identify relevant issues to include by completing the survey in the link below. You can also order a free copy of the booklet when it is completed.
Caring for the Coast community consultation survey
The EDO is writing a free community education booklet on the various planning and environmental laws that apply to coastal areas. They have designed a brief survey to gauge the community's interest in different planning and environmental issues that face coastal communities.
Please assist the EDO by completing this survey at: http://www.edo.org.au/edonsw/site/survey/caringforcoast_survey.php
Should you have any further questions, please contact Rosemary Bullmore at the EDO, email: rosemary.bullmore@edo.org.au or tel: (02) 9262 6989.
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