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 kiama@parliament.nsw.gov.au 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.

Last year, on a cloudy Monday afternoon in October, thousands of people turned up at North Bondi to catch a glimpse of Nedd Brockman.They were there to cheer on the twenty-three-year-old sparkie from Forbes in the last two hundred metres of his 3952-kilometre, 47-day run across Australia.Once he’d finished, journalists peppered Brockmann with all sorts of questions. Did you ever think you wouldn’t finish? What’s the first thing you’ll do when you get home? How are the knees holding up?The most important question of all, though, was why? Why run the equivalent of 270 City2Surfs in seven weeks? Why put yourself through hell?The answer was simple: for charity.Through almost 20,000 contributors, Brockmann raised $1.5 million for the homelessness charity, We are Mobilise.In an interview a couple of years earlier, he explained what it meant to him:“Every Tuesday, I was travelling into Ultimo to go to TAFE and I’d always see 10 or so homeless people doing it tough on the streets…it’s the most humbling experience. Your mindset changes and you feel like you’ve just got to help.”This spirit – of giving back, looking out for others, and lending a hand – is a quintessentially Australian thing; mateship is unselfish, and it’s reciprocal.The Bugle’s very strong view is that this spirit is alive and kicking in Kiama.Indeed, it will be on full display this Sunday, when locals come together for the ninth annual Red Cross Fun Run to help raise funds for those in need.The Bugle encourages all its readers to participate, whether that’s by running or walking the 5 kilometre, 9 kilometre, or 21 kilometre course – or lining the Coast Walk to cheer everyone on.We should all take pride in the fact our community is home to a grand smorgasbord of grassroots organisations – Kiama Leagues, Kiama Masonic Club, Kiama SLSC, Lions Club, Probus, Rotary, and Kiama Community Radio to name just a few.The philosopher Edmund Burke famously called community organisations like these the “little platoons” of society.In other words, it’s not governments and councils that make communities tick, it’s people.Grassroots organisations play a really important role in our community for a few reasons. They bring locals together, they give locals an opportunity to give back, and many of them are there to help when times are tough.Right now – with yet another interest rate rise adding to the skyrocketing cost of living – these groups, and the support they offer, are more important than ever.While it’s a bad thing that 15 per cent fewer Australians were volunteering in their community in 2020 compared to 2021, it’s a good thing that participation in community sport across the country is holding firm.It was also heartening to see Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma talk up the benefits of volunteering in The Bugle a couple of weeks ago, and advertise the good work of Kiama Council in putting on the first ever Volunteer Expo. There’s no doubt this was a worthwhile initiative.It's The Bugle’s very strong view that, here in Kiama, the more locals who give back, the better.

There is an old joke that a camel is a horse designed by a committee...probably not fair toeither animal, or committees.In the grand scheme of things, committees often get a bad rap. They're wrongly seen asslow-moving, self-centred and find it difficult to reach a decision. Let’s try to change thisperspective.We at council are forming two new committees, to be the hub of many others. Coremembers will be people who are able to manage a wide range of disciplines, have an openmind, are good with people, have a sense of priorities and who are not afraid to suggest acamel if necessary.We are looking for two lots of three outstanding individuals to become the core of a new ideaof committees.The proposed committee structure shares some similarities with matrix management, asboth involve the integration of individuals from different areas of expertise into teams. We’recurrently recruiting for our core members, but we’ll also invite additional experts to join fromtime to time, in order to address specialist needs and promote community engagement.We need people with boundless enthusiasm, capable of injecting our committees with asurge of energy, contagious excitement. We also need strategic thinkers; masterminds whocan see the big picture, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and connect the dots. In themidst of all this, we also need people who can bring a sense of calm and perspective to thetable, soothing voices of reason.All this will combine into two additional committees, which can pull in extra help whenneeded, to consider the vast diversity of work that our community expects and deserves.This work will encompass things like the creation of walking tracks, management ofcompanion animals, ensuring we respectfully reference our First Nations people, caring forthe environment and listening and acting on the ideas of the young and much more.So, if you're ready to embark on this delightful committee adventure, where we work hard,enjoy harder, and form bonds that last a lifetime, then we want you!Join us in creating committees that will shatter stereotypes and redefine the way wecollaborate. Together, we'll write a story filled with teamwork, laughter, and maybe a camelor two. Submit your application today, and let's make these committees the stuff of legends!Lastly but not leastly two shout outs: One for our Deputy Mayor who wrote so eloquently inthe last column about Volunteers, and secondly a farewell for Cathy Law, formerly of TheBugle. Anyone would be hard-pressed to do what she did, as well as she did and asefficiently as she did. We all owe her.

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for their support at the most recent State Election. It is an enormous honour and privilege to serve our community in Parliament and I will continue to work hard every day to ensure our community is never forgotten and that we secure outcomes that matter most. I write this column as Parliament resumes for its second week and I have already given notice of a bill to address local residents concerns around agritourism, asked questions in Question Time of the Premier on State-based disability supports and homelessness, placed a range of questions on notice to Ministers on everything from the transfer of Jamberoo Mountain Road to the State Road network, environmental concerns around the Dunmore Hard Rock quarry, support for local dairy farmers due to the Country Valley Pty Ltd going into administration, safety improvements on the Kiama Bends and promised upgrades to local schools – just to name a few! To form a majority government in NSW, a party or coalition parties require 47 seats in the Legislative Assembly. As the current government only has 45 seats, the government require the support of the cross-bench to pass its agenda. As the first independent MP for Kiama, I have been addressing each issue before the Parliament on its merits and putting the views of our community at the heart of each decision I make on your behalf. I have supported Government Legislation to protect Sydney Water front future privatisation by placing Sydney Water in the NSW Constitution. I have also offered my support to the NSW Government to increase wages for our frontline workers like nurses, ambulance officers, and fire fighters. However, I am concerned with government plans to abolish the Active Kids Rebate which provides $100 to each school-aged child to participate in out-of-school sport. I think we can all agree that the more time kids spend being active rather than in front of device, the better off the next generation will be. I have established a petition calling for the government to retain this initiative to support families with the costs of living and the petition can be signed on-line on my website: Petition to continue the Active Kids Rebate Program - Gareth Ward MP for Kiama I have also responded to local parent concerns around seat belts on school buses. I think every child travelling to school on a bus should have a seat and a seat belt and I have commenced a petition calling on the NSW Government to fund improvements to our bus network to ensure student safety. You can sign this petition on my website: PETITION TO FAST TRACK SEATBELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES IN KIAMA - Gareth Ward MP I also moved to establish an inquiry into training for frontline emergency services who engage with people living with cognitive impairment or cognitive decline following the tragic events involving Claire Nowland. Sadly, the Government didn’t support this proposal. Should you wish to visit Parliament, I would be more than happy to host any community groups that would like to attend Question Time and tour the building. Feel free to contact my office to make arrangements. 

They say all publicity is good publicity, but right now, Kiama is blessed with bloody great publicity.And it’s all about people wanting to come here from somewhere else.A couple of months after The Australian crowned us as Australia’s most liveable town, The Sydney Morning Herald has got in on the act, labelling us “a stunning place to visit”.Last week, the Herald’s Traveller sung Kiama’s praise as the perfect place for a family-friendly weekend getaway:“The range of accommodation…the vibrant community feel…the astonishing natural beauty that surrounds it all and all the activities makes possible.”On top of that, they singled out a smorgasbord of great places to eat, name-dropping Olive & Vine, Silica, Miss Arda, JJ’s, El Corazon Cocina de Mexico and Hanoi on Manning.It's nothing locals don’t already know, but it’s exciting to see in newsprint, nonetheless.It also points to an important truth: tourism is the lifeblood of Kiama’s economy.According to Tourism Australia, travelers bring in $244 million to local coffers every year.And the number of people coming here is on the up – average annual visitor growth was 4.3 per cent between 2013 and 2019.We asked the Kiama Council what most of them were coming to see.Unsurprisingly, the blowhole is the most popular spot for visitors, attracting more than a million people a year.The second most popular spot is the beach while, over on kiama.com.au, the top two search terms are “Kiama Coast Walk” and “Markets”.It's The Bugle’s view that the more people visit Kiama, the better. We should do everything we can to encourage people to come for a weekend.But one thing we ought to have a conversation about is making sure people who spend time here spend money here too.According to the Council, the average spend for domestic tourists who come for the day is $95.We should be aiming to double the daily spend.We don’t just want to see Sydneysiders drive down to look at the blowhole, we want them to ride around town on a rented e-bike from Kiama Cycles & Sports, grab fish and chips for lunch from Jaws and browse the offerings at Bombo Clothing Co.The Bugle thinks this should be the goal of all tourism advertising: don’t just come for something, come for everything.We look forward to putting this to the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, when we interview him shortly.

In the last 12 months, state and federal governments have introduced tax concessions designed to tip the balance in favour of electronic vehicles (EV) and plugin hybrids.From 1 July 2022, employers do not pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on eligible electric cars and associated car expenses. For small business owners or employees that have access to salary packaging, this represents a substantial tax-saving opportunity if you are in the market for a new car for the business, family, or family associate. Because eligible EVs & Plugin Hybrids are exempt from FBT, there are no private use adjustments, the car can be for either business or private use, and the car expenses, including depreciation and finance costs, can be claimed in full for tax purposes. The car must be provided as part of a salary package to an employee or associate (including a family member). For most owners, the tax savings are equivalent to 5% to 10% of the cost of the car each year. What is an eligible Electric Vehicle or Plugin Hybrid? The car must be a zero or low-emissions vehicle – battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or plugin hybrid.The car must be held and used for the first time after 1 July 2022. Therefore, the tax savings apply to new and used cars if the vehicle was not registered until after 1 July 2022.  "During my search for a car, the car industry was unaware of the importance of the 1 July 2022 first use date," said Garry Pinch, a partner at Accounting Professionals. "They kept quizzing me why I wanted to know when the car was first registered. "Given the tax savings were between $2000 to $8000 each year, depending on whether the car was first registered after 1 July 2022, I would have thought it was material enough for the broader car industry to be aware." The car must not have been subject to the luxury car tax ie; for cars first purchased in the 2022/23 financial year, the GST-inclusive cost must be less than $84,916. Some things to be wary of – If you buy a car privately, you most likely won't get a tax invoice and cannot claim the 10% GST credit back.  "If you are considering buying an eligible EV, it might be best to buy from a dealer or a business/private owner that is registered for GST and will provide you a tax invoice because your employer can claim the GST credit and pass on the tax savings to you as part of the salary package," Pinch explains. Don't rely on others to determine whether the car you are looking at is eligible for the FBT concessions – do your homework or seek some advice from a tax expert. In NSW, electric vehicles and some low-emission petrol-electric hybrid vehicles are not subject to transfer duty & receive a concession on the motor vehicle tax. The concession is automatically applied when you register your car. The exemption from transfer duty makes purchasing used EVs & Plugin Hybrids an attractive proposition because you don't pay any duty irrespective of the value of the eligible car. Other potential future benefits unless the law changes –Eligible cars first used after 1 July 2022 will always be eligible cars even if the original owner sells the car in the future. All the tax benefits are transferred to the new owner if they salary package the car through their business or employer. The transferability of the tax concessions could substantially enhance the resale value of post-1 July 2022 eligible cars compared to pre-1 July 2022 EVs and all cars that are not low-emission cars (petrol and non-plug-in hybrids). Note the FBT concession for Plug-in Hybrids winds down from 1 April 2025, so this could limit transferability of the benefit for Plug-in Hybrids.Battery repairs and replacements are fully tax deductible for eligible vehicles. So, when it is time to replace the battery, if the vehicle is still part of a salary packaging arrangement, owners of eligible vehicles will be able to get the 10% GST back on their battery replacement plus the tax savings on the full tax deduction for the cost (pre-GST) of the battery through their salary package.If you change employers or start a new business, you can transfer the eligible car and maintain the salary packaging benefits and related tax savings to the new employer if they also offer salary packaging.

Note: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.Dear residents, ratepayers & business owners in the Kiama LGA,The purchase of the Barroul Estate by the Kiama District Hospital Committee in December 1924 was a defining moment in Kiama’s history; the beginning of a century of passion, commitment and generosity of many generations of Kiama people. Together they wove the fabric of caring for the aged and the vulnerable into the psyche of Kiama’s culture.  We are now on the cusp of another defining moment in Kiama’s history; looking to “divest” not just a parcel of land and some buildings but decades of volunteering, donating, door knocking and community led fund raising that created Kiama’s retirement village, aged care facility and home care services, and community transport services – Blue Haven Care.I will continue the fight to preserve as much of this priceless community asset as possible.To pursue the other options that are available for boosting Kiama’s cash position and improving Councils financial management.At the very least, I’ll be calling for any sale of Blue Haven Bonaira to be restricted to not-for-profit organizations that have a history of providing good quality aged care in our region. I’ll be doing all that I can to keep the historic Barroul House with its tranquil front garden and fountain as a community owned asset, so that members of the public are able to visit it for many generations to come.On Monday Kiama Council is holding a public hearing to allow members of the Kiama Community to have their say on whether or not the land at Blue Haven Bonaira should be reclassified from community to operational land. This is necessary step before the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira (including the heritage listed Barroul House, residential independent living units, aged care facility, home care services and community transport) can be completed.I urge you to come along to the Public Hearing to hear what others in the community have to say. It is scheduled for Monday 22 May 2023 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Council Chambers, 11 Manning Street Kiama. You’ll need to register here if you would like to attend.And remember I’m always interested to hear your views. Feel free to call or email me, or drop by Short Black Cafe in Kiama for one of my regular coffee & chat sessions. The dates are on my website safekiama.org/your-thoughts/.As you know I am a passionate advocate for democracy and your voice is part of that. Yours Sincerely, Clr Karen Renkema-LangNote: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.

Not a single event, community service or initiative happens in our community without the hard work and dedication of volunteers.This National Volunteer Week (15-21 May), the focus is on how volunteers are change makers.As Councillors, we celebrate ‘Change Makers’ – and this means taking the opportunity to thank the many volunteers in our local community who give their time, expertise and their care to others.This week, I reflect on the many change-making initiatives started right here in Kiama, such as the Man Walk, that are changing the lives of people across the country.To play our important part in all of this, Kiama Council is holding our first ever Volunteer Expo on 24 May at the Kiama Farmers Markets (postponed from 17 May due to inclement weather).We’re keen to celebrate the positive changes our volunteers make in and around our municipality. We also want to promote volunteering and help our local organisations to recruit more volunteers. Although Kiama has a slightly higher proportion of volunteers than the national average, statistics from Volunteering Australia show the rate of volunteering through an organisation has declined over time.For people aged 18 years and over, the rate has declined from 36.2% in 2010 to 28.8% in 2019. Both men and women are volunteering less. Therefore I urge any locals who have been thinking about how they might ‘give back’ or contribute more to our community to consider giving volunteering a go.Not sure where to begin? We’ve made it easy to explore opportunities in volunteering. Our Volunteer Expo provides a chance for you to chat to around 30 different local organisations and find out what activities you can support and get involved with.There’s something for everyone – with representatives of organisations on hand including the Red Cross, Vinnies, Sing Australia, CWA, Lions Club, The University of the Third Age and more. You can also speak to Council representatives about volunteering at Blue Haven or the Kiama Visitor Centre.According to Volunteering Australia, the most common types of organisations for which people volunteered were those relating to sport and physical recreation (30.7% of volunteers), religious groups (23.1%) and education and training (18.8%).Volunteering Australia’s definition of volunteering is “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.” And it is estimated that around a fifth (over 5 million) of Australians volunteer at some point each year. I hope you’ll be one of them.Finally, on behalf of the community, I’d like to thank all of our volunteers – for all the early starts, patrols, rescues and fundraising that you do to make our community thrive.

The last time property was this expensive, Bob Hawke was Prime Minister, MC Hammer was on top of the charts with “U Can’t Touch This” and Peter Sterling was about to win his second Rothmans Medal.That was September 1990 – when the average Aussie needed to shell out 45.5 per cent of their income to buy a house.Today, that same figure is 45.4 per cent.It's a good way of illustrating just how hard ordinary people are getting hit by the Reserve Bank’s interest rate hike-athon.And, of course, buyers aren’t the only ones getting smashed by successive rate rises. Families with a mortgage – including thousands who took out loans on Phil Lowe’s promise rates were going nowhere until 2024 – are under the pump. And they’re under the pump in a big way.According to Finder, more than four hundred thousand households missed a mortgage payment in the second half of last year.It's no secret mortgage stress is a massive problem in Kiama.A couple of months ago, the Illawarra Mercury interviewed a local family forced to sell their car to help keep up with mortgage payments, which had gone up by $1300 a month.That’s $15,000 a year extra for a family already paying lots more for electricity, petrol, and groceries. Given the 2021 Census found Kiama’s average monthly mortgage payment was $2194, it’s safe to assume locals are now on the hook for at least $3000 a month.How are families supposed to get ahead and plan for the future when it costs that much just to keep a roof over their heads?Speaking to Kiama business owners this week, it’s clear these rate hikes are rippling through the local economy – people are spending noticeably less.A local hair studio owner in Kiama, says her turnover is down and her cash flow has taken a hit.“Customers have been rescheduling their appointments because they simply can’t afford it. It’s hard,” she said.A similar story for Darren Longbottom, owner of Zink Surf, who says he’s been forced to cut costs and is looking hard at layoffs.“A business is no different to a personal or family budget. Along with obvious slowing trade, we have a cost to business which is increasing with not only inflation but with what seems like endless rising interest rates,” he said.It's not just mortgage holders up against it, though - renters are in a similar boat.When the Census was published two years ago, the average weekly rent in the Kiama LGA was $485.Today, of the 74 available rentals in Kiama and surrounding suburbs on realestate.com.au, only 7 are on the market for $485 or less and there’s nothing with two bedrooms for less than $600.Last week, The Bugle promised to start a new conversation about the future of our community.We’re speaking up about interest rates and the cost of living today because our community literally doesn’t have a future if solutions aren’t found to make property more affordable.That’s why, in the coming months, every time we speak to an elected official – be it the Mayor, an MP, or a Minister – this will be our first question. And it should be yours too.

Earlier this year, The Australian newspaper crowned Kiama as Australia’s most liveable town.In their story about the award, the newspaper spoke to local couple Lau Amadeo and Thais Chikhani, who moved here five years ago to start a new life with their young family.You might know Lau and Thais as the owners of award-winning coffee shop Little Earth Roasters on Tingira Crescent (The Bugle recommends the Reuben Toastie). When the newspaper asked Lau why his family chose Kiama, he said it was because “the community is great” and “the people who live in Kiama are amazing”.He also spoke about the natural beauty of the area and our laid-back lifestyle. “The rolling hills, the ocean, it’s really nice outdoors all the time, the kids are always at the park of the beach. It’s safe, I don’t worry about anything, we have no worries here”, he said.The Bugle couldn’t have put it better – Kiama really is one of a kind. So, it’s no surprise we were named Australia’s most liveable town.But no town, including ours, is perfect. There’s always more work to do.The Bugle hopes this recognition on the pages of the national broadsheet sparks a fresh conversation about the future of our community.We might be the best place to live, but how do we become the best place to raise a family, the best place to start a business and the best place to enjoy retirement?How do we make sure young people in our community have access to the same opportunities as their Mum and Dad?And how do we make sure everyone who calls Kiama home feels the same way about our community as Lau Amadeo?These questions should be front of mind for all the local decision-makers at Kiama Council, as well as ourrecently re-elected State MP Gareth Ward and our Federal MP Fiona Phillips.Answering these questions won’t be easy, and will take time.But the first step is starting the conversation – and making sure everyone’s voice is heard. That’s our job here at The Bugle.Together, we look forward to making our one-of-a-kind community even better.

We are a strong, adventurous, creative and courageous community. Our way of life supports our economy, global or local, regional or on our own street, we call this place home.The above words are from the vision outlined in our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2032, a document our community, Councillors and staff worked hard to create at the beginning of our Council term last year. I thought of them this week when I turned my mind to tourism. In a summer-friendly area as ours, tourism seems a given during the warm months.However, as the seasons turn to cooler days and darker nights, I’m even more aware of the beneficial influences our tourism industry brings to our area, our people and our economy.It is my belief that if we understand that tourism is good for the area, the benefits should flow to us all. So, what we do for tourists, we do for ourselves as well.Council’s tourist arm, Destination Kiama, recently conducted its Local Tourism Survey, which received almost 400 responses from locals, local businesses, tourists and tourism operators.One of the top responses was a desire for more local events in off-peak periods. This is why, as winter’s chill descends upon our idyllic seaside lives, Council (and others) are preparing to transform our place into a captivating winter wonderland, with a dazzling display of festive lights, engaging events, and winter cheer, turning the frosty season into an unforgettable, lovely Kiama winter.Our keystone event for the season will be the 2023 Kiama Winter Festival, held during the school holidays and once again bringing a real ice rink to central Kiama from 7 to 12 July.This is the sort of family friendly, all-ages, accessible activity that you’ve told us you enjoy and we’re thrilled to be providing. As an added bonus, there will also be igloos!In terms of priorities for tourism projects in general, the highest response was for walk, cycle and nature-based experiences. This is hardly surprising, as we know our community loves and values our stunning natural environment. In fact, Pillar 2 of our CSP says: “We thrive in a sustainable environment” and has outcomes built around protecting our people, our place, our flora and fauna and valuing our natural environment of spectacular beaches, rainforests and rolling hills.Our CSP also says we’ll work together to understand and respond to the need for growth and change and will create a strong and diverse economy.Nowhere is this more apparent than in our tourism sector, where our local operators have had to pivot and pivot again to meet the challenges of the past few years. I’m proud to see what has been achieved and what continues to be apparent: we have so many thriving local businesses and new ones every day.The appreciation for this is reflected in the Tourism Survey, in which respondents said they value our town and village streetscapes and love new activations, niche and growing visitor sectors, such as accessible tourism.A brilliant example was Council’s recent Sun Up Surf and Skate Festival in Kiama Downs (put on by Destination Kiama in partnership with Surfing NSW and with funding from the NSW Government), which saw an area transformed into a local festival that had not traditionally been used that way.So as the nights draw in, rest assured that the good times will not cease. Your Council is working hard to ensure locals, businesses and visitors alike can enjoy our wonderful area all year round.On the King's CoronationThe Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will occur at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May, 2023. On behalf of the Council of Kiama, I wish the new King the happiest of reigns and offer him and his family all the warmth of our community’s feelings.

Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether we welcome it with open arms or resist it with all our might, it is a constant force that shapes our lives. Our community is currently experiencing a period of growth, innovation, and new possibilities.Here’s an update on some of the exciting changes happening around us and how they may impact you.First, I have some fantastic news regarding Akuna Street. We sold the property late last year, and the new owners are planning to bring not one, but two supermarkets to the area!Eddy Haddad, director of Level 33 Property Group, which bought the site, has also revealed plans for a gym and a selection of stylish venues in the currently underutilised space behind our Terralong Street shops.In addition to these developments, we have welcomed a new state government and not one but two new local ministers.Ryan Park, the Minister for the Illawarra and Member for Keira, has expressed his keen interest in Kiama. I have known Mr Park for some years, and he is a long-time friend of Kiama MP Gareth Ward. We are looking forward to scheduling a meeting with Minister Park in the near future.Our other local minister is Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong, who has been appointed the new Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. I know Minister Scully, as an Illawarra representative, has a detailed understanding of the challenges facing coastal communities, including in Kiama and across the Illawarra.I am looking forward to working with Minister Scully and I have invited him to visit Kiama as soon as possible to discuss how we can make our local communities the best possible places to live, work, and play.I am also proud to announce Council’s progress toward financial stability. We have planned better budget controls, reduced unnecessary expenses, and begun more accurate long-term financial planning to secure our future prosperity. This includes divesting from certain assets that others will more effectively manage.Our focus is now shifting to enhancing the delivery of public services. We will soon be commencing reviews of some of our key services, with an eye towards streamlining processes, investing in technology, improving efficiency and continuing to provide a great ‘customer experience’ to you, our community.Another change I am happy to report is that we have received the sign-off on our audit for the 2020-21 financial statements, with the Auditor General moving past our previous financial uncertainties. This marks a significant step forward, although there are still many more to take. Our path to continued progress is clearly outlined in the updated Strategic Improvement Plan 2 for Kiama Council, which was endorsed at this week’s ordinary meeting on 18 April.Lastly, your Council has changed significantly over time. Things are more complex now.Lucky for us, we have recently discovered that, while complexity is hard, it is not a bad thing.Complex systems, like in nature, are more resilient and adaptive. We lose our more fragile parts as we go through adversity and come out the other side smarter, stronger and better prepared for the next change that will inevitably arise.

It’s the NSW State election this weekend and although our local council elections are a year or so behind us, I doubt there is a single councillor who won’t remember how it feels. We recall the anxiousness, the sheer mental effort and the excitement that our state candidates are experiencing right now.After Saturday, we’ll know who we’ll be working with for the next four years. In the leadup, if you’re looking to quiz your potential State representatives on how they’ll represent local issues, here’s what I’d suggest you ask them:Ask your candidate, if elected, what are their plans for Jamberoo Mountain Road? It was a state road, but the government abdicated ownership, now we must beg, cap in hand to receive funding for repairs. We need the state’s help, if not to take it back, to provide enough money to go beyond repairing this vital arterial road. We need to rebuild it better, so it will stay solid through the next downpour and the next decade.Ask the party reps if their candidate will step up on water and sewerage. Our state-managed water and sewerage utilities, stormwater and water management systems have been allowed to deteriorate to a Dickensian state. Poor health, overflows, a big pong and toilet paper bubbling up in the main street after every storm is unacceptable.In terms of local planning, we must work with a set of local planning regulations that were made in Macquarie Street back in 1993. During the past 40 years, the legislation has had so many tweaks and stitched-up sections it looks Frankenstein.Ask your candidate: will they be providing additional resources to work with councils to make a new fit-for-purpose system that is sympathetic to our needs and not just the needs of developers? And while they’re at it, what will they do to improve the NSW Planning Portal to enable it to deliver efficiencies and reduce costs for councils?We live in a lovely spot, and thankfully many of us have secure housing, but we’re in the midst of a state-wide housing crisis. Housing is a basic human need and key to a healthy, prosperous and equitable society. Ask how your candidate plans to work with Kiama Council on design, masterplanning and the acquisition of appropriate sites while retaining our valued green spaces. Also, what can they do to ensure our children and key workers are not priced out of local markets?Tell your candidate that your council and communities across our LGA are suffering from the impacts of skills and labour shortages, which slow economic recovery and hamper productivity. Will they invest in initiatives to attract and retain skilled labour to local government and local businesses, particularly in regional areas such as ours?Will they invest in training and professional development beyond the metro areas? And what initiatives will they instigate to assist local farmers, businesses and the visitor economy?We also need investment in better waste, recycling, green power and circular economy solutions.You can be assured that, whoever is elected, your Mayor and the Council will work with them closely, collaboratively and tirelessly to achieve great outcomes for our area.Best of luck to all who are running.

Note: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.Dear residents, ratepayers & business owners in the Kiama LGA,Over 100 people attended a very important Council meeting at the Pavilion on Tuesday 28 February. Many more watched the livestream. All of the agenda items tabled pointed to a new ‘business model’ for Kiama Council. During the meeting it was very evident that the community of the Kiama LGA want to have a say in the future of our Council, and so they should.What should a new ‘business model’ for Kiama Council look like? Should Kiama Council be reduced to a leaner meaner organisation that just provides a platform for tourism and the basic Council services - pot-holes and garbage collection? Should we sell precious community assets to the highest bidder? The Kiama Leisure Centre? Blue Haven Terralong Street Retirement Village? The Blowhole Point cabins? Kendalls Beach holiday park? The Old Fire Station? Couldn’t most of these be retained and revitalised as profit-making enterprises for the long-term benefit of the local Community?Council has a substantial property portfolio that is identified in the draft property plan tabled at the Council meeting on 28 February. These are all Council owned or managed assets. They are a mix of commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, crown land and infrastructure parcels of land and buildings. The working draft plan clearly states that “Council seeks to potentially leverage its property and related assets to facilitate private development investments”. Which of these should we absolutely fight to keep to provide the best outcomes for the people who call Kiama home?I would also like to point out that as I understand the Local Government Act, the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira cannot proceed to finalisation until completion of the public exhibition and public meeting, and receipt and consideration of submissions. It is also important to note that the property and liquidity plan were adopted as working drafts for future discussion and workshop. They were not approved or accepted at the 28 February meeting.Let's talk about money!What do we need to prove to the State Government (and importantly to you in the community) that we are financially viable?Firstly, we need an immediate cash injection of around $15 million (or more) to be able to pay bills as they are due over the next two years. It is clear from the financial figures presented at the meeting that the sale of Blue Haven (with or without Terralong Street) will NOT provide this amount of money in the time it is needed. The good news is that successful negotiation of $15m from the balance of the loan used to fund Blue Haven Bonaira build will, and this is being pursued.Secondly, the financial figures presented made it clear that even without selling Blue Haven Terralong Street, Council will have a relatively healthy cash balance ($14.3m) to manage day to day operations and pay bills by June 2024 – assuming the sale of Bonaira goes ahead. The draft property plan makes it perfectly clear that there are options (other than selling Terralong Street) to provide another $10 to $15 million cash injection if needed. The impacts of renegotiating the loan and keeping, and improving revenue from Terralong retirement village may well result in this not being needed. But we don’t know as we haven’t been presented with this financial data.Thirdly, before Council makes a decision to sell valuable community assets, we need to understand the lost opportunities and the extent of lost revenue from doing so. And importantly we need to have an alternative strategy that demonstrates a better financial, social and cultural proposition than what we are losing. We know from past financial reports that profits from the independent living units at Terralong Street have financed successive expansion of Blue Haven in 5 discrete stages, subsidised the aged care facility and funded other community infrastructure. Further, the financial figures presented at the June 2022 meeting showed that Council operations (excluding Blue Haven) are running at a loss. We have not yet been presented with financial data that details alternative revenuesources to correct this structural deficit.Finally, Council needs a stable and fully functioning financial management system along with a stable and qualified financial management team capable of producing accurate, timely and relevant financial statements. It needs these things in place to restore confidence that Council can manage the proceeds from any sale of assets responsibly and appropriately to restore Council as a ‘going concern’. Council must be able to demonstrate that these things are in place before any further decisions are made about selling valuable community assets.I will continue to push for all of the above to be made explicit and to be considered in future decisions of Council.And remember I’m always interested to hear your views. Feel free to call or email me, or drop by Short Black Cafe in Kiama for one of my regular coffee & chat sessions. The next one is Weds April 12 from 9:30am. Other dates are on my website safekiama.org/your-thoughts.As you know I am a passionate advocate for democracy and your voice is part of that.Yours Sincerely,Clr Karen Renkema-Lang

So, here we all are, in the best place on earth. It’s official, verified and fair dinkum.I’m talking of course about Kiama being declared Australia’s best small town by demographer Bernard Salt, who crunched the numbers from the 2021 Census to come up with the results.While I’m sure the criteria for this are all very legit and I’m thrilled to be Mayor at a time when we’ve been acknowledged in this fashion, I’d also suggest there is more to a place than statistics, green hills and the hole that blows.Most importantly there is the charm of the people. It’s one of the first things I noticed about the people of Kiama – and not just the town of Kiama but our whole Municipality.Whether you're a visitor or a long-time resident, you'll always be greeted with a smile and a welcoming hello around here. It's not uncommon to strike up a conversation with a stranger in a local café or on the beach, and before you know it, you're exchanging stories and laughing together like old friends.Beyond their welcoming nature, the people of our LGA are also deeply connected to their local environment. Many residents are involved in conservation efforts and community landcare groups that aim to protect the natural beauty of the area for future generations. Whether it is through beach clean-ups, tree-planting projects, or wildlife rescue programs, the people of Kiama demonstrate a strong sense of stewardship and responsibility for their local environment.Our towns are home to a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, workshops, and festivals that showcase the talents of local artists and performers. There’s the Jazz and Blues Festival on this weekend.Another thing that stands out about the people of our Municipality is their sense of community. This is a place where people come together to support one another, whether it's through volunteering or simply checking in on a neighbour who needs help. The place has a strong spirit of inclusivity and acceptance, and you'll find people from all walks of life living here and contributing to the community.One of my favourite things across the LGA is the way that the people here have embraced and preserved the town and country's history and character. There's a strong sense of pride in the local heritage. You'll often find residents sharing stories and memories about the past, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the local history through museums, guided tours, and other cultural events.This is not limited to our colonial and Anglo-Saxon history either. Kiama Council hosted two Aboriginal yarning circles earlier this year where we listened to first nations Elders speak about their lived experience and the cultural history of this place. It was an enlightening and heartening experience and one that we will aim to repeat and build upon.Overall, the beauty of Kiama is not just found in its stunning natural landscape but in the warmth, kindness, and creativity of its people. The sense of community and connection that permeates our Municipality is truly what makes it the best place on earth.