Spark Shoalhaven

Andrew Constance Finally Wins

Here's a press release that's been a long time coming. It's taken a year, but Shoalhaven Council has a new CEO in Andrew Constance. Mr Constance once swore off politics, declared his dedication to climate change solutions and resigned from a long career in

Spark Shoalhaven

Nowra's Sunday Langar: Food for all, but so much more.

Two things happened last week to bring into sharper focus the way we as individuals create our Shoalhaven community. One was sad, the other applauded, but both inspirational and practical. Outspoken political activist and grassroots advocate, Michelle Miran, died after battling (and raising awareness of) ocular melanoma. And Nowra'

Spark Shoalhaven

Dirty Money Fails to Clean Up Community

Community volunteers in Bomaderry must hand back a hard-fought NSW government grant of $30,000 for safety improvements at their local dog park after Shoalhaven Council delayed approving the minor building work. Meanwhile, Shoalhaven Starches (Manildra), the region’s largest private employer, quietly cut a $154,756 deal with Shoalhaven

Spark Shoalhaven

Green Days Back in Shoalhaven

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right, I hope you had the time of your life." - Billie Joe Armstrong, Good Riddance, Green Day * Last month Natalee Johnston said good riddance to her role on Shoalhaven Council, opening the door to a new elected

Spark Shoalhaven

Demand. Deny. Distract.

Confused by Mayor Patricia White's claims that Shoalhaven Council job cuts have nothing to do with her or the councillors? Confusion is exactly what they want. But in the effort to centralise and simplify to become financially sustainable, Shoalhaven Council needs skilled, educated professionals, with proven experience and

The Catalyst

Earth, Water, Air & Fire: How environmentalists occupy Australia's radical centre.

Does composting make you a communist? Are solar panels only for socialists? Will recycling threaten the royalists? Of course not. But party politics and the mainstream media lags way behind the everyday environmentalists already fuelling the core of Australian society. Well-meaning and left-leaning friends have told me: "Greens should

Spark Shoalhaven

Tribe Talk: A Podcast for the People

Disagreement may be part of a constructive democratic process. But Shoalhaven Council debate of late has inspired numerous Code of Conduct complaints, a Safe Work investigation, a brain drain of the entire executive staff, tense union meetings, caustic Mayoral statements, accusations of fraud and document tampering, personal insults thrown across

Spark Shoalhaven

All the World’s a Stage

Amid disturbing news of some artificial intelligence increasingly threatening authentic human connection, we celebrate just a few of Shoalhaven's grassroots music, theatre and film activities and the humans who make them happen. Because people need people and performers need audiences. Feel free to add other events to the

Spark Shoalhaven

Another good reason to bury those old knickers.

Cat Holloway / I try to keep my Facebook activity to watching Graham Norton Show highlights, and increasingly choose e-newsletters for daily inspiration or aggravation. Government bulletins don't typically hold my attention, but the Local Land Services South East Circular is a ripper and this month's edition

Spark Shoalhaven

Absolute Rubbish

In the idyllic expanse of the Shoalhaven, a region celebrated for its pristine coastline and verdant hinterland, a silent, insidious burden is slowly crushing its most vulnerable residents. Garbage. This isn't merely about over-flowing local landfill. It’s a stark indictment of inequitable decision-making at the highest levels

Spark Shoalhaven

Leash-Free Zone for Local Watchdog

If you don't already follow Steve Prothero's various Eye on Shoalhaven Council paths to criticism and commentary on our local government, now might be a good time to take that watchdog for a walk. Shoalhaven Council remains in news headlines for all the wrong reasons and

Spark Shoalhaven

Councillor Natalee Johnston Resigns

by Cat Holloway / Independent Councillor Natalee Johnston has today resigned from her elected position on Shoalhaven City Council saying she could not "suffer through another three years" of council dysfunction. "I have been thinking hard about this for a long time," Johnston said. "I had

Spark Shoalhaven

NOT Another Gareth Ward Story

Another day, another tone-deaf, self-important pollie clinging to power. How much more abuse and neglect can Kiama's people take? by Cat Holloway / Kiama's community is understandably experiencing a crisis of confidence in democracy with the region's MP convicted on three counts of indecent assault

Spark Shoalhaven

Vive la Révolution

Warm your hands - and your soul - on this cold weekend with the glowing embers of some follow-ups to previous Spark stories about ambitious idealists in our community whose efforts are making a positive impact. Shoalhaven joins Sydney March for Gaza Pro-Palestine protesters from the Shoalhaven, like youth leader

Spark Shoalhaven

Social media suppressed after Gareth Ward found guilty of rape

A deafening silence has descended on the Kiama region's usually loud and crowded social media spaces following Friday's jury verdict finding Gareth Ward guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape. by Cat Holloway / Gareth Ward was well known for frequent insulting

Spark Shoalhaven

Liza Butler Takes Patricia White's Claims to the Minister

by Cat Holloway / South Coast MP, Liza Butler has referred Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White's serious accusations against Council staff over alleged document tampering to the Office of Local Government and the Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig. At last night's Shoalhaven City Council meeting, Mayor White

Spark Shoalhaven

And Then There Were None

"This is no time for refusing to look facts in the face." from Agatha Christie's classic crime novel, And Then There Were None by Cat Holloway / All seven directors of Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) have resigned, retired or taken 'extended leave' since Mayor Patricia

The Catalyst

Takesa Frank: Taking A Passion for Protecting Country Global

by Vanessa Barnett, WWF-Australia / In the quiet, forested hills of Yuin Country on the New South Wales South Coast, the Clyde River winds through ancient bushland containing lyrebirds mimicking the sounds of the world around them.  This very special place is home to Takesa Frank — a proud young Aboriginal woman

Spark Shoalhaven

Rising Rates, Sinking Trust

Welcome to the new financial year! Our rates go up today by 12%, adding an average of $3.46 each week to residential bills. You've likely seen Council's general announcement, but it's not well understood where those extra rates will actually go. Former Shoalhaven

Spark Shoalhaven

Vincentia Locals Tee-Up For A Long Shot

They said developing it was a done deal and many believed that. But an ambitious cooperative of Vincentia community individuals and groups will tomorrow formally bid to take control of the Vincentia Golf Club, save the course and create a social hub for the community with employment and training opportunities

Spark Shoalhaven

The Blame Game: Mayor Slams Union, Councillor Over Fearmongering on Job Cuts

Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White has released a scathing public statement denying claims that more than 100 Council staff jobs could be axed and accusing Councillor Jemma Tribe of relentlessly coveting her job. Mayor White's extraordinary statement was a response to Friday's United Services Union (USU) media

Spark Shoalhaven

Palestine on my Mind

Bay and Basin Amnesty Group (and anyone keen to join them) will protest outside Fiona Phillips’ office in Nowra at 4 pm on June 5 to stand in solidarity with Israelis and Jewish people around the world who are calling for an end to the war in Palestine and the

The Catalyst

The Devil in the Details

If you follow the "news" on commercial radio stations and the South Coast Register, you could be excused for believing that Culburra is a vibrant town on the verge of a housing and infrastructure boom thanks to the visionary Halloran Trust developer, Sealark. That's the thrust

Spark Shoalhaven

Gareth Ward Finally Faces Court

Member for Kiama and former Shoalhaven City Councillor Gareth Ward will appear before the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney today over several allegations of sexual assault between 2013 and 2015. The Crown will allege Ward indecently assaulted a 17-year-old boy at Meroo Meadow near Bomaderry in February 2013, and

Spark Shoalhaven

Power prices, payback and preferences

Australia's 2025 Federal Election count officially closed with the final postal votes registered last Friday. Fine details of preference breakdowns and Senate outcomes will dribble out in coming days, possibly weeks. But Gilmore's House of Representatives numbers are in. Do they match the spin? by Cat