It was great to meet the people involved with HuntFest. We had them stay with us at the Top of the Town motel.

They were all a great bunch of people and was good talking to them, and it was good talking to them and was impressed with how professional and friendly they were.

We trust everyone had a great weekend and was great to see how these events/exhibitions like this bring people into town and help small towns and businesses survive throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing you again next year.

Troy Haddon

Top of the Town Motel

Naroma

Review needs independence

Some of your readers may be aware that the Eurobodalla Shire Council held an extraordinary meeting last Tuesday, June 9 to consider a motion from Clr Gabi Harding that “...Council appoint an independent planning advisor to conduct a review of Council’s planning process and the timeline of legal advice sought and received for HuntFest.”

This action was prompted  in part by the legal advice from the Environment Defenders Office, requested by SAFE Inc. and sent to the ESC general manager, which questioned at length the legality and propriety of council’s approval of an arms fair at the 2015 HuntFest that permitted, among other things, the display and sale of firearms at a community building in Narooma.

Clr Harding’s motion was defeated (on the casting vote of the Mayor) and substituted by a similar motion, proposed by Clr Burnside, which called for a review of Council’s action in this matter to be conducted internally by the general manager; this was duly passed.

One would expect that the general manager should largely be responsible for ensuring that council’s actions be entirely consistent with relevant legislation and council’s own guidelines. It defies belief that she should then be charged with reviewing what are effectively her own actions in this matter.

It then appears that in a radio interview the following morning, the mayor (confident no doubt in the review’s outcome) indicated that next year’s HuntFest would go ahead regardless of the review.

The arrogance of some members of this council and its senior officers is breathtaking.

Allan Baxter

Dalmeny

“On the Flat” action

I would just like to thank and give credit where credit is due to the Eurobodalla Shire Council, and in particular Director of Infrastructure Warren Sharpe, for last week’s clearing of the open drains and canal on the Flat between McMillian Road and Riverside Drive, Narooma.

After the floods on October 14, 2014, I wrote a letter to Warren Sharpe expressing my and 30 signatures dissatisfaction to the lack of maintenance, up grading and general drainage issues in the area.

As a result Warren and I, had a face to face meeting and “walked the talk” where a reply letter from Warren indicated that there will be some minor maintenance carried out this financial year and funding to explore storm water improvements in future budgets.

I have also been informed from Warren and divisional manager of works Tony Swallow that funding has been set aside for drainage, curbing and guttering along Riverside Drive.

Thank you ESC for listening and thank you for your actions.

Gabe Eichler

Narooma

Mayor's say…  The view from the top

There’s a lot happening in the local government sector at the moment and some of the activity has presented great opportunities for me to advocate for a better deal for our local community.

The annual NSW Roads Congress was held a few weeks ago and I attended along with Councillor Neil Burnside and Council’s director of infrastructure services Warren Sharpe.

This event is hosted by the Roads and Transport Directorate, which was set up to help and lobby for local government in NSW in the area of road infrastructure and transport related activities.

The Directorate provides research and technical advice.

Councillor Burnside is our council’s representative, and he also sits on the executive of the South East Transport Australian Transport strategy group.

The Congress was an opportunity for us to meet with decision makers who can make a difference.

We spoke at length with Duncan Gay, NSW Minister for Roads  and John Sidoti MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads, about funding for the Princes and Kings highways, the new Batemans Bay Bridge announced by Andrew Constance, and the recently announced duplication of the Princes Highway down to Jarvis Bay.

We were also pleased to have has the opportunity to meet with influential Members of the Legislative Council, Reverend Fred Nile and Paul Green.

In a week that saw the ‘poles and wires’  legislation passed, it was beneficial to open discussions with Mr Green and Reverend Nile on matters such as planning reform and the Upper House review on the NSW’s Government Fit For Future plan for local government. We will continue these discussions with the support of Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Gareth Ward.

Fit for the Future took the spotlight at the recent Local Government NSW meeting of mayors and general managers and it was useful to be able to talk about how the program is progressing and how it’s viewed from the top. New Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government Marcia Doheny talked about the direction that Fit for the Future will take councils, and the yet to bedded down joint organisations structure and what legislative controls will be placed on them.

For us, it’s interesting to note that while our current Southeast Regional Organisation of Councils has 13 members, the new Joint Organisation being proposed by the NSW Government will include Eurobodalla and Bega as standalone members, along with Queanbeyan and Palerang who have been recommended for possible amalgamation, and the Snowy mountains, Cooma Monaro and Bombala who have also been recommended for possible amalgamation.

We were all pleased to hear from the new Minister for Planning Rob Stokes who said he would aim have state-wide regions matched by all government agencies.

He also spoke about the NSW Government’s previous attempts around planning reform and he gave a commitment to revisit them now there was a change in the makeup of the upper house.

Please let me know if there are any issues that council can assist with. You can contact me at mayor@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 279 215.

Clr Lindsay Brown

Mayor of Eurobodalla Shire

Young busker impresses

I went down to 'The Flat' last Saturday afternoon to pick up a couple of things from the IGA.

On getting out of the car I could hear the sounds of ‘Wish you were here’ being strummed on a guitar across the road in front of the IGA.

As I approached the entry to the supermarket I was even more surprised to see a young kid - not sure what age he was - busking and strumming the Pink Floyd classic.

Not sure who the kid is but I hope he made a few bucks and continues on his musical journey

Neil Mumme

Instep Management Group

Narooma

Garden club does great things

There are many people in our community who silently just get along helping others in need and making life a pleasure without the fanfare of “hey look at us and what we are doing”.

On Wednesday, June 10, I had the absolute pleasure of being the guest speaker at the Narooma, Kianga, Dalmeny Garden Club.

This amazing group of people never cease to amaze me with their generosity in supporting  the Cancer Council, The Moruya Hospital Oncology Unit and other sections of the community that are in need.

I have been attending their meetings on a regular basis as a guest speaker over the last number of years and through this column I would like to thank them for support they have shown me and my business over those years.

The club meets monthly at the Narooma club and the social activities of the club with guest speakers and trips away to visit gardens near and far is well organised and fun.

Anyone who loves gardening should get along to one of their meetings and enjoy the company of these great people of our community.

The afternoon tea is delicious.

Keith Mundy

The Spires Nursery

Tilba Tilba

HuntFest a real boost

We would like to congratulate the committee and exhibitors of HuntFest 2015 for a professionally, well organised and run weekend.

While there are differing opinions regarding HuntFest, no one can deny the boost to the local economy at a traditionally quite time of year.

This boost is greatly appreciated by most if not all businesses in Narooma.

The continued future growth of the hunting and leisure expo can only benefit the local community and businesses in years to come.

We’ll continue to be a proud supporter.

Paul O’Brien

O’Briens Hotel

Narooma  

Maintain your wrath

Our 20 per cent plus rate rise is here to stay.

Our mayor and general manager are delighted that the wishes of over 80 per cent of their ratepayers have been denied and their clever campaign, funded by ratepayers has been successful.

The ratepayers will find the extra money – a few colder nights and cheaper cuts of meat will be necessary but retirees always pay their bills.

The general manager will qualify for a pay rise above her $300,000 plus with the bigger budget she will preside over and the mayor will continue to maximise his unlimited expense account.

Our shire will be able to afford a few extra Mickey Mouse projects the keep telling us we want even at their grossly inflated prices.

The rate rise endorses the fact there is consultation in the Eurobodalla Shire.

There is no point in submissions to council or petitions signed by thousands.

No point speaking to councillors or attending token council meetings.  They have shown time and again they won’t alter their position no matter how general the ratepayers’ opposition is.

Council’s propaganda department keep bombarding us with success stories of councils productivity gains and savings through a multitude of press releases and yet we still need a huge rate rise!

Councillor “Turnside” and deserters have never been popular.

Mayor Brown stated after he fell into the top job at the last election that the people wanted change.

Yet he has delivered the same lack of leadership as he predecessor. Just go with the council staff and ignore the ratepayers.

Naturally this rate increase comes mid-term of council elections. Next year’s increase of even more will go through without any noise as will the following years.

Councillors expect you to forget their betrayal of ratepayers wishes.  There is only one place where we as ratepayers can have a say and that is at next year’s elections.

Only two councillors have made an effort to represent the majority of ratepayers – Leslight and Innes. Only two deserve re-election.

Until the next election maintain your wrath and send a message loud and clear to council that the role of a councillor is to represent ratepayers.

Bruce Rapkins

Narooma

Flood study? Not representing ratepayers

In the mayor’s column on June 10, Clr Brown said it was good news for land holders and developers, that the interim flood policy is to be replaced with a permanent one.

The interim policy only existed for the years it did because councillor brown agreed so strongly with it that he used his mayoral casting vote to keep it there!

Council has subsequently now spent many millions of dollars of our collective monies on infrastructure on the flat in Narooma with no consideration at all for flood or rising sea levels, but continue to impose an impost on every individual land holder, who is spending their own money!

The only responsible policy is one that defends the considerable private and communal infrastructure in place and encourages new investment in our low lying areas, not further constrict them with irrational planning controls.

This policy also assumes a worsening of conditions based on computer generated worst case scenarios, which are contentious to say the least and void of any historical data.

Councillors are elected by the ratepayers to represent the ratepayer, not as spokesmen for every over conservative stance and economic disincentive presented by council staff.

Mick Young

Narooma

Transparency of governance?

I was present at the special meeting of council on June 9.

It revealed to me the truth of where we're at at present in the process of decision making at the local level of governance.

Councillor Harding proposed a motion to initiate an independent assessment of procedures that had been followed in granting extensive amendments to the initial request of HuntFest to hold family friendly festival in the Narooma Recreational Centre.

It seems the Environmental Defenders Organization had notified council that the procedure followed by council for approving the additional amendments may have rendered them invalid.

Councillor Harding put forward the motion very forthrightly on behalf of the shire seeking to promote transparency of governance in this particular matter.

Only five councillors were present at the meeting. The other four sent apologies. 

One of the councillors who always voted ‘Yes’ for the Huntfest’s requests acknowledged that fact but chose on this occasion to vote for an independent assessment saying he really valued transparency of governance.

The voting resulted in 3 to 2 in favour of an independent assessment. Then the mayor voted against the motion making it three all and then used his casting vote to make it 4 to 3 against the independent assessment.

Councillor Burnside then suggested an amendment allowing an assessment of the process to be carried out by the shire general manager Dr. Catherine Dale.

The three Councillors who had voted for the independent assessment now voted ‘No' saying  such an option would not achieve the transparency that the people of the shire are seeking.

The meeting was then declared closed. Transparency of governance?

Trish deLaney

Narooma

Bodalla P&C says thanks!

WE’VE just had another successful fair at Bodalla Public School. The weather was brisk and the sensible among us were all rugged up. At least it didn’t rain! This is Bodalla P&C’s biggest yearly fundraiser and an important day for our school and community.

This event would not be possible without the generous support of a whole bevy of volunteers. The Bodalla Rural Fire Brigade is always wonderful. They help with the set-up and the clean-up every year and they also helped with The Smoke House, which was a real hit with the children. Their contribution to the spectacle of the day is always appreciated.

The CWA women; Colleen Constable, Elizabeth Johanson, Elizabeth Tough and Barbara Smith ran the Devonshire Teas for us, which were very popular and looked delicious! The canteen helpers for the day included Suzie Coleman, Janice de Jaegar, Sue Parry and Sue knight, and weren’t they busy! Leonie Hawkins made us the most delicious soup for us.

Debbie McGann spent the day on the raffle table. Michelle Garcia had the children singing beautifully in the choir and coordinated all the music for the day. Georgia Robinson lent Michelle a hand with the music and didn’t we have some great music on the day. We would like to thank LP Harmony and Adrenalin Karaoke DJ for coming. Thank you for filling our ears with your tunes!

Sueanne Lynch was selling books and uniforms while next door Georgia Robinson, Lillian Eastwood, Heidi and Tim Kilborn were selling Show Bags and the most scrumptious cakes. The cakes were donated by some very sweet school families. Debbie Norris was there to lend a hand as well.

The barbecue was run by Brett Vaughn and Danny Robinson. The BBQ tent helpers included Dana and Scott Mazzuchelli, Jenny Miller, Lisa Cornthwaite, Karen Evans, Dave Lynch, John Forge and Ryan Miles.

We thank Stacey from Tuross Butchery for delivering the yummy meat and for taking happy snaps of the day. Dave from Radio Rentals was a huge help lending us an extra fridge to keep all the goodies cold.

The delicious and always popular pizza oven was run by John Stevenson and Dan Townsend. There was a band of happy helpers in there and I hope we haven’t missed anyone. And we can’t forget Cameron Williams who made the dough and checked in to get the pizzas started in the morning. 

The Haunted House was popular again this year. It was run by the Tisha Limon & family and the Year 6 children.

This required a lot of organisation with dress rehearsals and group consultations and they did a really good job with it all. The students also learned a lot from the experience.

A huge thanks must go to all the wonderful businesses who donated prizes to our monster raffle, which was a hit and had some really fantastic prizes.

The children who played and watched out for the younger ones also deserve a mention as this enabled their parents to attend to their fair duties. Jessica Stevenson needs a special mention for doing the radio advertising for us.

Amy Miles, Alyssa Parrington, Kathryn Wagner (and her photography group) helped organized the display for the photography competition for us, along with Mrs Collett on the day who help organise the voting and the viewer vote countings. Thank you to all the people that entered the photo competition, it was great to see all your terrific photo’s. Congratulations to the all the winners!

We thank Bodalla Bowling Club for donating the great cash prizes to our photo competition and Whackers Photos & Picture Framing  and Narooma Picture Framing for donating vouchers for 4th and 5th places. Jane won the photo viewer vote award and we are still trying to track her down.

A huge thanks must go to all the wonderful businesses who donated prizes to our MONSTER RAFFLE, which was a hit and had some really fantastic prizes. Check out all the prizes & winners attached.

The children who played and watched out for the younger ones also deserve a mention as this enabled their parents to attend to their fair duties. Jessica Stevenson needs a special mention for doing the radio advertising for us.

Thanks to everyone who helped promote the fair for us, especially Narooma News. We'd also like to thank the stallholders that came along on the day with their various wares, you all help to make a fantastic fair atmosphere. 

Amy and Ryan Miles always give their time and assistance behind the scenes and help out where they can. Seana Ryan and Peter Taylor also gave lots of help through the day with cleaning and assisting where they could.

A huge thanks to Mrs Takacs, who was at the school at dawn and was the last one to leave, almost twelve hours later. She has been a terrific support to the P&C and we hope she knows how greatly we value her kindness and willingness to help. We also pay respect to her family, who had to share her on a Sunday. Mrs Takacs daughter Indy, along with friends Sophie Mazzuchelli and Gabi Kilborne lent a hand setting up in the morning.

To say, ‘thank-you’, seems entirely inadequate to Lisa Heinz, who took the reins and coordinated the events and raffles and food and stallholders and was the ‘go to’ person for the day. Thanks also to Michelle Robinson for all the effort and time she always puts into our school and the P&C. She did lots of the organisation beforehand so that things could run smoothly on the day.

Thanks to all the school children who collected money for raffle tickets and assisted in the stalls and where needed. And thank you to all the families who brought their families and friends to our fair. It is a great opportunity to showcase our community and school. Without this simple contribution, our fair would not be the success it is!

We hope we haven’t forgotten anyone and again thanks to everyone who helped in any way, whether by being there or by promoting the day. Make sure you check out our Facebook 2015 Bodalla School & Community Fair event page for all the action!

Amy Miles

Bodalla P&C Fair Committee

Bodalla Fair Raffle Winners

1. A weekend for the family thanks to TUSCANY APARTMENTS in Merimbula. CURTIS HINTON

2. 2 night’s in an elevated Beach View unit thanks to TUROSS BEACH HOLIDAY PARK. DONNA DAVIS

3. A stunning 86cm x 53cm photo canvas valued at $400 thanks to MR PHIL JONES. E.Wilson

4. A family cruise on the WAGONGA PRINCESS, Narooma. MARILYN BRENNAN

5. A family pass thanks to MOGO ZOO - 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3-15). ADDISON HINTON

6. $25 voucher thanks to TUROSS BUTCHERY. G.PARLETT

7. BATEMANS BAY MINI GOLF voucher valued at $42.00. SARAH PENDERGAST

8. $20 Dinner voucher at SOLTREE BISTRO at TUROSS COUNTRY CLUB. REBECCA MARSH

9. BATEMANS BAY INDOOR KARTING voucher. SHANNON

10. A Basic Wash & Groom voucher thanks to ANIMAL HOUSE CARETAKER. M. FERGUSSON

11. Item thanks to BETTA ELECTRICAL NAROOMA. TASH

12. A $30 meal Voucher thanks to THE TAV at Tuross Head. HAZEL

13. A breakfast Voucher for 2 thanks to BUFFERS KITCHEN. JUDY PATTERSON

14. 2 hour boat hire thanks to TUROSS BOATSHED & CAFE. GREG HOLMES

15. A gorgeous PAW Brooch kindly donated by PAWS FOR EFFECT DESIGN, Potato Point. FRASER

16. Big4 Membership Voucher thanks to BIG4 NAROOMA EASTS HOLIDAY PARK. TASH

17. $30 gift voucher thanks to BODALLA NURSERY. LAUREN HENRY

18. $30 gift voucher thanks to the SONGBEE in Bodalla. DEREK

19. A beautiful gift basket thanks to BODALLA LAVENDER SHOP. LEANNE ROSANI

20. Asiatic Lily 7 Light Table Lamp valued at $299 thanks to ORCHID LIGHTING. SALLY DAVY

21. KB TRUE BLUE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - Free mowing and whipper snipper service. REBECCA DICKSON

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING BODALLA SCHOOL CHILDREN!

BODALLA FAIR PHOTO COMPETITION- VIEWER VOTE WINNERS

All cash prizes kindly donated by Bodalla Bowling Club!

Juniors (under 18)

1st Place $100- HARRY YOUNG

2nd Place $50- HARRY YOUNG

3rd Place $25- LACHLAN CALLENDER

4th Place Whacker’s Photos & Picture Framing encouragement voucher- HARRY YOUNG

5th Place Narooma Picture Framing special voucher- SHARNA MACNAMARA

Seniors (over 18)

1st Place $100- PHIL JONES

2nd Place $50-PHIL JONES

3rd Place $25-ANNETTE COLLETT

4th Place Whacker’s Photos & Picture Framing encouragement voucher- PHIL JONES