21 June 2021
Shoalhaven City Council will be opening Lake Tabourie to the sea this afternoon, 21 June 2021. The water level in Lake Tabourie has reached a height of 1.21m, triggering the need to mechanically open the lake in accordance with the Tabourie Lake Entrance Management Policy.
The community are requested to stay outside of the work area and keep away from the edges of the dug channel and eroding banks following the opening, as these areas can be very unstable and unsafe.
Well, being new in the South Coast area, I have noticed all the towns north of Bomaderry - have got Bypasses away from the inland and seaside towns. The Pro's and con's of Bypasses could be debated for hours on end.
Personally, this is supposed to provide an easier and quicker flow of traffic in the areas of Milton and Ulladulla, whilst travelling on both sides of the Princess Highway. Although in the towns North of Bomaderry, they tend to get traffic to and from their towns as they provide historical places and/or interesting places for anyone to visit.
By providing the Bypass, it may reduce the business economic returns for the area, with less traffic flowing into the towns. What the community of these towns need to do once a Bypass is in place is entice people passing by to stop and pay a visit, using and promoting the historical and local beauty of its areas. This is so that further vital funds could be injected into those local business communities.
Now, on the other hand, as a former public transport advocate in Western Sydney, I would strongly look at a dramatic improvement with local public transport bus timetables. As when I have travelled on the buses around the area, there are a handful of commuters using the services.
The Reasons behind this is the 'everyone wants a car' factor because there are virtually little or no services available to promote the use of public transport. The trains stop at Bomaderry and I've heard from a young lady today, that it is better for her to travel to Wollongong University campus in Wollongong from Bomaderry, rather than using bus service to the campus to in Shoalhaven. This is also supported with the 'Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Awareness Network' offering taxi vouchers to the young and needy, needing travel access across the Shoalhaven River.
On that point, why we expanding with a new bridge across the Shoalhaven River to cover excessive and increasing rotor vehicle traffic, when the Iron bridge that caters for this traffic could be converted to carry passenger and industrial Rail. Yes, that's right extend the Railway line from Bomaderry to a dual carriageway travelling alongside the Shoalhaven River to Nowra and Stopping at South Nowra.
By providing rail services extended into Nowra and South Nowra, would definitely be a positive step to help our youth, who need to get to work from Bomaderry to Nowra or South Nowra or who need to study and complete their tertiary education at Uni Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus.
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For some of you to know that my birthday (coming of age) is coming up, I have introduced a fundraiser for something that is close to my heart for Lifeline.
So far raised $265.00. Help us raise $500.00. That will be appreciated.
18 June 2021
Shoalhaven City Council will commence refurbishment works to refurbish the Comerong Island Ferry and replace the concrete approach ramps on either side of Berry's Canal from Monday 21 June 2021.
The works, which are expected to take 3-4 months to complete, will include renewal and repair work for the vessel including hull repairs, ramp overhaul, renewal of deck fittings, and landing and moorings.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley said the refurbishment works are necessary to maintain the long-term safety and viability of the service.
“Council is regularly required to service the Ferry to maintain its Certificate of Survey in order to operate the vessel. This out of water survey is required to be completed every five years. However, on this occasion, work will also be undertaken to replace the concrete approach ramps on either side of Berry’s Canal.”
“Council is completing both major projects at the same time to limit the disruption to residents, as both works prevent the operation of the ferry service.”
“Over the past few months Council staff have worked closely with residents to ensure they have been kept informed of the project and can prepare for the ferry closure period,” Clr Findley said.
The normal ferry service will be out of commission whilst the works are being undertaken. A pedestrian ferry service will be provided for residents of Comerong Island during the refurbishment of the 'Cormorant' Ferry and reconstruction of the approach ramps.
Members of the public will be unable to access Comerong Island during the ferry service closure.
For more information on the refurbishment works visit Council’s website.
18 June 2021
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley accepted a generous donation of $75,000 from Hotondo Helping Hands for the Shoalhaven City Mayoral Relief Fund.
“It is an honour to accept this donation on behalf of the bushfire affected communities, such a substantial amount will make a huge difference and I thank all involved in their efforts in raising such a substantial donation”, Clr
“The funds raised will go a long way in helping Shoalhaven residents impacted by the Black Summer fires re-build their lives”, Clr Findley stated.
“Since the Mayoral Relief Fund was opened in December 2019 nearly half a million dollars has been raised to support bushfire affected ratepayers and residents across the Shoalhaven”, Clr Findley said.
Hotondo Shellharbour and Hotondo Southcoast
Adam Sturt, Managing Director of Hotonodo Southcoast handed over the cheque to Clr Findley and stated “This was a cause close to our hearts. Like many Shoalhaven and Illawarra locals, we too were affected by the bushfires and devastated by the impact it had on residents, wildlife and the natural area.
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| Shoalhaven City Mayor Amanda Findley receives a cheque donation from Adam Sturt to the Mayor’s Relief Fund from Hotondo Helping Hands |
“We wanted to do something to help our community to recover, so Hotondo
For more information on Hotondo Helping Hands https://hotondo.com.au/
For more information on the Mayoral Relief Fund, or to donate, visit: https://www.shoalhaven.
18 June 2021
Shoalhaven City Council is encouraging the community to be on the lookout for Bitou bush as winter takes hold. June marks the start of Council's annual Bitou bush control program, with the aim to prevent the further spread of this invasive weed across multiple beaches across the region.
Bitou bush is an introduced species that thrives in coastal environments with significant infestations in the Culburra, Berrara and Bendalong areas. Shoalhaven City Mayor Amanda Findley is encouraging everyone to play their part by locating these invasive weeds.
“Council is commencing the annual Bitou bush control program. The program will aid in the protection of the Shoalhaven’s native flora and fauna and our Environmental Officers need the community's help in locating these plants.” Clr Findley said.
“Integrated controlled techniques are used to provide targeted control of the weed. Spot spraying, hand removal, biological controls and licensed drone spraying of Bitou bush in manually inaccessible areas such as cliff lines at Bendalong: these are all methods being employed starting in June and continuing throughout the Bitou bush control season,” Clr Findley said.
“It is important that the community report any isolated Bitou bush plants as they can potentially create large infestations within the area, resulting in significant environmental damage,” Clr Findley said.
"As a community we have put so much effort into controlling this ferocious growing woody weed, it would be sad to see us return to the infestation levels of the past. We really need our citizen patrol to be out there looking and even weeding if they have the knowledge to do so,” Clr Findley said.
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| Bitou Bush flower and seed |
A Bitou bush can be identified by its multi-stemmed bush with bright green, round, fleshy leaves and distinctive yellow 'daisy' flowers, which are clustered at the end of branches. The main flowering season is May to July, which makes it easy to spot along coastal dunes. Further to this, the bush may also have ripe berries containing hard seeds which are black and fleshy.
Community members are encouraged to report isolated Bitou bush plants or infestations they see along the coastline; residents are also reminded to not remove the plant themselves as this may result in accidental spread of the weed.
To report a Bitou bush sighting please contact Council on 02 4429 3111 and ask to speak with the Bushland Management team.
17 June 2021
Shoalhaven City Council is pleased to announce they are assisting the CSIRO in trialing a new important weed control endeavour. The CSIRO is researching a biocontrol agent to help contain the spread of the invasive Sea Spurge weed (Euphorbia paralias).
Sea Spurge is an invasive plant that infests beaches and dunes across Southern Australia. Beaches often become heavily infested with this weed species, which limits beach access, ruins nesting areas for threatened shorebirds and creates a human health risk with the sap from the plant capable of causing skin and eye irritations. Currently, the Shoalhaven has been able to keep the infestation in check with regular, integrated controlled efforts.
Shoalhaven City Mayor Amanda Findley said she is pleased to see the trial will take place along the Sussex Inlet and Manyana beaches.
“The CSIRO’s new biocontrol agent trial is a project that could save our beaches from becoming inundated with the Sea Spurge weed. This will not only protect our beaches but also protect other beaches throughout Australia” Clr Findley said.
When a Sea Spurge plants become established on a beach or dune, they eject a large number of seeds which can travel long distances in the ocean and survive for several years in the water. The CSIRO is researching this biological control agent as another means of reducing the spread of Sea Spurge , however, the community is being assured that the use of these agents is safe for beach goers.
“I would like to assure the community that the research on releasing a biocontrol agent is extremely advanced and has been through a rigorous process before any environmental trials are engaged” Clr Findley said.
“Shoalhaven is one of many regions around Australia that will be undertaking the trial. These biocontrol initiatives will reduce the need for chemical control measures, whilst also potentially saving our beaches from this weed ” Clr Findley noted.
The CSIRO trial began in the Shoalhaven in early May and will continue throughout the year.
16 June 2021
Watch & Act, a rock opera penned in response to the Black Summer fires, premiered with a cast of more than 50 South Coast musicians and singers on Friday night at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.
The show is ABC Illawarra radio presenter Nick Rheinberger's musical response to the stories he heard from frontline workers, volunteers and people impacted by the fires.
The Shoalhaven City Mayoral Relief Fund received $245 in donations as part of the event.
Many who attended the show were frontline members of combat agencies and support workers. The performance was made possible with the support of Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Resilience NSW and IMB.
Patrons who attended the event were invited to donate to the Mayoral Relief Fund as part of their ticket purchase. The Mayoral Relief Fund was opened by Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley on 4 December 2019 in response to the Shoalhaven bushfires.
Since being opened, nearly half a million dollars has been raised to support bushfire affected ratepayers and residents across the Shoalhaven.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley expressed her gratitude to those who donated.
“The generosity of the community never ceases to amaze me. Recovery takes time and it’s heart-warming to know that the community are there to provide support”, Clr Findley said.
Councillor Findley was thrilled to feature in the show and felt honoured to play a part in the re-telling of the Black Summer Bushfire story.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable and at times emotional show, with outstanding performances by a stellar cast. I am sure everyone in attendance will agree there can be healing through music and humour”, Clr Findley said.
The performance featured music arrangement by Nick Rheinberger and Paul Greene | Guitars: Nick Rheinberger and Rick Falkiner | Bass: Paul Greene | Drums: Adrian Herbert | Keyboard: Rob Laurie | Vocals: Eva Leone, Tia Wilson, Kay Proudlove, Nick Rheinberger, Paul Greene, HMO, Hamish Richardson, Tina Broad & The Glorious MUDsingers | Video &
The Mayoral Relief Fund, Bushfire Fund is open until 30 June 2021.
For more information on the Mayoral’s Relief Fund, including how to make a donation, visit Council’s website.
For more information on the musical event visit Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre’s website.
Shoalhaven City Council is delivering on its commitment to provide improvements to Sanctuary Point Oval for the upcoming athletics season.
The oval’s $326,000 irrigation and drainage project is nearly complete, with irrigation work finished and drainage works set to be completed by next week.
Councillors Bob Proudfoot, Mark Kitchener, Patricia White, John Wells, and Joanna Gash met with the St Georges Basin Little Athletics Centre President, Tracy Mandavy recently to discuss ongoing support of the oval.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley is excited about how the oval is shaping up: “We’re really looking forward to working closely with St Georges Basin Little Athletics Centre to have the oval ready for next season.”
“Beyond the irrigation and drainage works, we plan to assist with new line markings, and over the next year we’ll be working to improve the soil and address weed issues so that Sanctuary Point Oval is a great resource for our little champions-to-be and the whole community,” Clr Findley said.
The irrigation and drainage works were funded by a grant from the NSW Government.
For more information on Little
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| L-R: Clr Bob Proudfoot, Clr Mark Kitchener, Clr Patricia White, Clr John Wells, Clr Joanna Gash with Tsar Mandavy and President of St Georges Basin Little Athletics Centre Tracy Mandavy at Sanctuary Point Oval |
St Georges Basin Little Athletics website
Click here for the previous post
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Book now before tickets go on general sale this weekend!
Click here for the booking details
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10 June 2021
The Mayoral Relief Fund is continuing to help bushfire affected residents in the Shoalhaven, following a recent $700 donation to the Shoalhaven Rising from the Ashes community group, on behalf of the Morrisett Rotary Club.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley accepted the $700 donation to the Mayoral Relief Fund in April from the Morrisett Rotary Club who requested these funds were provided to a local community group.
Clr Findley was proud to see the New South Wales community still has the Shoalhaven in their thoughts.
“I want to express my gratitude to the members of the Morriset Rotary Club for this generous donation to help bushfire affected residents in the Shoalhaven.” Clr Findley said.
“The Morriset Rotary Club asked that these funds were given to a small community group, which I am pleased to say they have. The Shoalhaven Rising from the Ashes community group provide many events which support mental health and wellbeing within our community, with events aimed at all ages.
“These funds will allow them to continue the important work they are doing within the community, helping our community heal.” Clr Findley said.
Shoalhaven Rising from the Ashes is a collaboration of the Catholic Communities of Milton, Ulladulla and Sussex Inlet, St Mary's Star of the Sea, and with volunteer organisations, community service groups, local clubs, businesses, schools and churches. For more information visit the Shoalhaven Rising from the Ashes Facebook Page.
Mayor Amanda Findley, opened the Mayoral Relief Fund, on 4 December 2019, in response to the Shoalhaven bushfires.
For more information or to make a donation visit the Mayoral Relief Fund web page.
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| Left to right, Vivienne Benson Hodge, Sherrie Swallow (Coordinator), Michael Tompkin, Trish Tompkin, Carol Hardie, Brian Hardie, John Hodge, Mayor Amanda Findley and Deacon Justin Stanwix |
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