NEWS  

JULY 2010  to DEC 2010  …...    NEWS ARCHIVES

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19 November 2010

Santas see red over red tape:  This year could be remembered as the last Christmas for the Charity Santa Ride in Huskisson. Red tape-restrictions almost caused the ride to be cancelled this year as organiser Brenda Garnett faced a number of new obstacles while seeking support from Shoalhaven City Council. 

Text Box: Mrs Garnett [pictured at left] , the sole organiser, hopes to raise $10,000 for Jervis Bay Marine Rescue and Huskisson Rural Fire Brigade but said council had made it very difficult for her. “They were ridiculous. Last year we had approval to run it with seven traffic controllers and this year they wanted us to have more than 40,” she said. [The event has grown in size each year]. From the South Coast Register, link: http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/news/general/santas-see-red-over-red-tape/2002233.aspx?storypage=0

25 October 2010

Coles [Bi Lo] has apologised for the bureaucratic mistake that led to a large trolley return bay being installed illegally in Vincentia’s Burton Street Mall.  A Coles spokesperson described the situation leading to the trolley bay being built near Vincentia’s Bi-Lo supermarket as “a classic piece of miscommunication”. “A former Coles employee was under the impression we had permission to install the trolley bay.”  “After said employee left the business, others installed the trolley bay based on his file notes.  “Obviously this was a mistake, and we’ve undertaken to the council that we’ll fix the problem.”  From the SCR:  http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/news/local/news/general/trolley-mistake-apology/1977829.aspx   [Postscript:  Coles have removed the trolley bay in question].

 

21 October 2010

Hello ShUT Members and Friends,

Wonderful News!  The Joint Regional Planning Panel, tonight, has unanimously rejected the proposed Non-Putrescible Waste Facility at Tomerong (DA09/2077).

The Steering Committee would like to extend a huge thank you to all the ShUT Members and Friends for their invaluable support over the last 13 months. The next General Meeting date will be announced soon, please watch this space.  Regards, Marg Blair, ShUT Membership Secretary

Shoalhaven City Council came out against the tip, with a unanimous vote by the Cllrs.  Read the SCC Statement to the JRPP hearing here     Read the SCC Media Release here

 

20 October 2010

WARD SLAMS  'GREEDY [Rates] CASH GRAB'    Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Shoalhaven City Councillor Gareth Ward has slammed an attempt by the City's Budget Committee to raise rates above the rate-pegged amount as a 'greedy cash grab'. Councillor Ward was successful in overturning the motion at last night's Council meeting to seek further information on above rate-pegging increases that could have seen rate rises of up to 30%.  Read more

 

TURN THEM ON!  COUNCIL DIRECTS GENERAL MANAGER    Wednesday, 20 October 2010

Shoalhaven City Councillor Gareth Ward has said that Shoalhaven City Council has resolved to turn on its CCTV cameras in spite of an action against the cameras being brought in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. Read more

 

24 September 2010

Framed for the position, the deputy mayor eventually got there  BY GLENN ELLARD   South Coast Register

MAJOR changes have been made to Shoalhaven City Council’s leadership, with Cr Gary Kearney elected deputy mayor, and Cr Bob Proudfoot the assistant deputy mayor.

Council’s call meeting on Tuesday night brought several surprises, with early favourite Cr John Fergusson not nominating for the deputy mayoral role. [Cllr Fergusson was elected Chair of the Development Committee]….Full article here

 

City cleanup comes to a close

City Council has been faced with a massive task to deal with green waste debris from the storm event on the 4th & 5th September 2010.  Most of Council’s resources have been taken off not routine works to deal with damage to Council’s assets….Full SCC release here   CONTACT : Director of City Services and Operations SCC, Bill Paterson

 

25 August 2010

Lower rates perhaps but people still behind:  Shoalhaven City Council charges the lowest residential and business rates among a group of similarly-sized NSW councils, but it still has the highest level of outstanding rates and charges.  Comparative figures compiled by the Department of Local Government showed 10.09 per cent of annual rates and charges levied by council in 2008/09 still had not been paid when the data was collated.

This was well above the average of 6.18 per cent for the group of six similar sized councils in which Shoalhaven was placed….The figures compared much more than rates, and showed council becoming increasingly reliant on charges and fees to fund its operations and services.….This was the highest reliance on fees and charges in the group, while Shoalhaven received the lowest interest level of the group at 1.07 per cent.

From the South Coast Register, full article and SCR link here

 

12 August 2010

Shoalhaven City Councillor Bohdan Brumerskyj has been elected to the National Sea Change Taskforce.  Cllr Brumerskyj will represent NSW local governments on the taskforce for 2010/2011. 

The National Sea Change Taskforce was established in 2004 as a national body to represent the interests of coastal councils and communities experiencing the effects of rapid population and tourism growth. The Taskforce now has more than 68 member councils from around Australia. Collectively, these councils represent more than four million residents.  Copy of Shoalhaven City Council press release here    Some of the things Cllr Brumerskyj will be fighting for on behalf of Shoalhaven residents are:

Text Box: From: “A 10-point plan for coastal Australia: Towards a Sustainable Future for Our Coast” by the National Sea Change Taskforce Inc, July 2010. Copy here Point 3: Funding for NRM Programs in Non-metro Coastal Areas: ‘..Coastal LGAs need to expand their environmental infrastructure, including environmental areas, corridors and rehabilitation, to respond to the impacts of climate change and to protect biodiversity values.’ Point 8: Declare 2012 as The Year of the Coast. This would raise national awareness of the significant contribution coastal Australia makes to the nation’s social, cultural, economic and environmental values.

Monday 9th August 2010:  Joint Regional Planning Panel Briefing Meeting (Tomerong Tip):

 A public briefing of the Joint Regional Planning Panel was held at the Tomerong School of Arts on Monday 9 August from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.   The purpose of the briefing was to provide an opportunity for the Panel to listen to and understand the key issues and community concerns with the proposed Landfill at Tomerong Quarry. This was not a determination meeting.   Many local speakers made presentations to the visiting JRPP.   Read the notes here.    ShUT website: www.shutip.com

 

6 August 2010

Shoalhaven City Council’s longest serving employee Barry Drury will retire on 6 August 2010, after 51 years continuous employment with Shoalhaven Water.  Barry joined Council as a 17 year old reporting for work at the then workshop in Lamonds Lane, Nowra, in 1959.

Text Box: Originally from Milton, Barry joined Shoalhaven Water when Council was known as Shoalhaven Shire Council and was under the administration of Mr K Hawkshaw. It was to be another 20 years before the Governor of NSW would proclaim the Shoalhaven a City. Director of Shoalhaven Water Carmel Krogh paid tribute to Barry and his long serving work. “To say that his retirement marks the end of an era is a great understatement,” Ms Krogh said. See copy of Shoalhaven City Council press release here Barry is pictured at left with Carmel Krogh.

 

From August 2010: Computer Literacy Programs for Seniors (over 50s) at Huskisson Bowling Club.

Huskisson Bowling Club proudly introduces: our new BROADBAND FOR SENIORS KIOSK

Do you want to learn how to use a computer but don't know where to start?  Thanks to the Australian Government and NEC Australia, Huskisson Bowling Club can now offer Seniors (over 50s) a chance to learn how to use a computer free of charge!   Lessons will cover email, word processing (writing), internet searching, and other skills which seniors may wish to learn.  A section of the club has been set aside with two computers with broadband access. You don’t have to be a club member to use this service.   Contact Club Manager Felicity White on 4441 5135 to make an appointment with one of our voluntary tutors now!   Huskisson Bowling Club website: www.huskissonbowling.com.au/

 

28 July 2010

SUSPICIOUS BLAZE - Firefighters find several ignition points in Husky fire  

Story: AMY FINDLAY   Photo: BOB FINDLAY  - South Coast Register

A BLAZE that destroyed the former Burnside Presbyterian Holiday House in Huskisson on Sunday is being treated as suspicious.  Several firefighters underwent rigorous decontamination after they were exposed to asbestos during the blaze.

HOSE DOWN: Firefighters are decontaminated after the blaze in Huskisson on Sunday.Text Box: At around 12.40pm on Sunday five brigades responded to the fire on Elizabeth sic [i.e. Murdoch] Street near Moona Moona Creek. The building was fully engulfed in flames when the brigades arrived and two more trucks had to be deployed. According the NSW Rural Fire Service Shoalhaven community safety officer Tim Carroll firefighters were able to extinguish the fire by 5.30pm. “Upon arrival brigades began immediate action to contain the fire but the structure was completely burnt to the ground,” he explained. “We understand that the building was vacant.”

HOSE DOWN: Firefighters are decontaminated after the blaze in Huskisson on Sunday.

From the South Coast Register, article and SCR link here

 

14 July 2010

Compromise offered to [Jerberra] estate dwellers

All people owning land in the Jerberra Estate may be able to have land rezoned and build houses – provided they are all prepared to sacrifice a bit.   After the paper estate’s residents and officials from Shoalhaven City Council held separate meetings with NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly this week, community title has emerged as a possible way forward.

UNSURE: Kerrie Lees from Jerberra Estate said the Planning Minister was accommodating but she would not comment further until she had spoken to other residents.Text Box: However, that is expected to mean some residents will lose their homes. Jerberra resident Kerrie Lees did not want to comment on the community title option before speaking to fellow residents and Mr Kelly’s adviser today. Ms Lees was part of a small group of residents that met Mr Kelly on Monday, three days after deadline for them to tell council when they would leave their homes or face legal action. Ms Lees said the minister was “accommodating”, and “took a keen interest” in the situation confronting residents, and the way it had developed over many years.

UNSURE: Kerrie Lees from Jerberra Estate said the Planning Minister was accommodating but she would not comment further until she had spoken to other residents.      Full article and SCR link here

 

12 July 2010

Men questioned over lobsters

Two young men were apprehended by Jervis Bay Marine Park staff after allegedly taking lobsters from a sanctuary zone.

SHELLFISH: Two men were questioned on Friday after Jervis Bay Marine Park staff found a bag containing lobsters at a sanctuary zone.Text Box: The men were observed skin diving at Tapalla Point near Huskisson prior to noon on Friday. They were held by police at the Tapalla Point car park while Marine Park staff located a hessian bag allegedly containing six lobsters. The men were questioned before being released, pending further investigation. Taking lobsters from a sanctuary zone is illegal and offenders can face either an on-the-spot fine of $500 or a maximum fine of $11,000. Full article and South Coast Register link here

SHELLFISH: Two men were questioned on Friday after Jervis Bay Marine Park staff found a bag containing lobsters at a sanctuary zone.

 

7 July 2010

Gash supports cash for trash trial:   Bottle collecting could soon become a popular pastime in the Shoalhaven if a proposal to introduce refunds on cans and bottles is passed this week.

RECYCLE: Gilmore MP Joanna Gash has thrown her support behind a proposal to introduce refunds on cans and plastic bottles.Text Box: Gilmore MP Joanna Gash hopes a meeting of the state and territory environment ministers will support her push for Gilmore to play host to a pilot project for the recycling of plastic bottles…. Mrs Gash said it was “irritating and offensive” to see the region’s beaches and bushlands tarnished by the sight of discarded bottles. “There was an amount placed in the federal budget for a pilot project and the concept was supported by Shoalhaven City Council,” she said.... RECYCLE:  Gilmore MP Joanna Gash has thrown her support behind a proposal to introduce refunds on cans and plastic bottles.   Full article and SCR link here

5 July 2010

Message from ShUT (background  about ShUT - see Current Projects page):

ShUT is calling for urgent help from members and supporters.  See below.

The fight intensifies:

Your submissions to council have been a great help in the campaign against this tip. We are now taking the fight to a new level.   ShUT is now calling on all members and supporters to:

1)  Write to the 3 State members listed below to communicate their opposition to the tip,

and

2)  Join the Sydney rally on: Wednesday 21 July.

Why? The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) have given General Terms of Approval for this development to proceed.  The Joint Regional Planning Panel (also appointed by State Government) will now make the final determination on whether the Tip gets approval or not.  It is now a State Government issue.  We need to  make the relevant Ministers aware of our objections.

 Text Box: So please… Write/fax/email (we suggest you do all 3!) to: 1. Premier: Kristina Keneally Level 39 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone 9228 5239 Fax 9228 3934 Email: premier@nsw.gov.au Text Box: 2. Minister for Planning: Tony Kelly Level 34 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone 9228 3999 Fax 9228 3988 Email: Sharon.Armstrong@lands.nsw.gov.au  Text Box: 3. Minister for the Environment: Frank Sartor Level 35 Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone 9228 5811 Fax 9228 5499 Email: office@sartor.minister.nsw.gov.au

Send your original submission or consider including some of the following points:

·   We believe that the supporting documentation from the applicant is flawed, and it is not a sustainable development.

·   This development application is NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST. It is for a privately run, privately managed facility which will only benefit the proponents. The Shoalhaven will have to put up with all the pitfalls (increased heavy vehicle traffic, noise, air, water pollution).

·   To place a tip of this size in proximity to a major NSW tourist destination is incomprehensible.  The tourist destination is at risk of becoming the trash destination.

·   Six million litres of concentrated industrial waste leachate sitting in a dam, in the headwaters of Jervis Bay and St Georges Basin catchments cannot possibly be considered SAFE.  BP thought their oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico was safe too! Is gambling the future of our Bay and Basin justified?

The ‘Precautionary Principle’ MUST apply.

·   Only 4.5% of the waste planned to go into this tip will come from the Shoalhaven. The rest will be trucked in over long distances via the Princes Highway (11,500 additional truck movement per year) This proposal is completely contrary to the Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development and the State Government’s  plans to reduce carbon emissions.

A rally to State Parliament is being organised for Wednesday 21st July.  Buses are being organised.  Tickets $15, are available from Franca Neville at Aloha Caravan Park Ph: 4443 4211 Mobile 0400 888 434, from the Tomerong General Store and from Shoal Bus, Concorde Way, Bomaderry.

Keep up to date by visiting:  www.shutip.com   WE CAN WIN THIS BUT WE NEED TO ACT NOW.    ALL GENERAL ENQUIRIES TO email:  contact@shutip.com   Tom Donohue -President, John Levett -Vice President, Jill Lord  -Secretary, Ev Pettigrew -Treasurer, Marg Blair -Membership Secretary
Huskisson and Woollamia Community Voice

From link:  http://www.realufos.net/2010/09/ufo-over-nowra-australia-so-bright.html

 

UFO over Nowra, Australia, so bright light reflects from clouds - 17th September 2010

 

Click the embedded video at left, taken at around 0500 hrs (no audio).  The UFO is moving in the background, (not the two stationary foreground lights).

 

Has been on statewide radio. It’s probably just Navy air ops.