Minnamurra Progress Association (MPA) is conducting a By-Election Candidates Forum at its next meeting at 7.15pm next Tuesday (2 September) at the Minnamurra Progress Hall.

MPA secretary Cliff Mason has issued this open letter to the candidates for their response at the forum.

Open Letter to Candidates in the Kiama State By-Election

We, the residents of one of the jewels of the Kiama electorate, the village of Minnamurra, respectfully draw your attention to several issues we’d like to see addressed were you to be elected as the

Member for Kiama.

We’d really appreciate your initial thoughts on, and possible commitment to, each of these items before the election:

1. Direct funding or Local Government Grants to Kiama Council to address riverbank erosion along the southwestern shoreline of Minnamurra River from James Oates Reserve north to James

Holt Reserve, works already detailed in Kiama Councils own Minnamurra Rock Wall Assessment report dated February 2022.

2. State environmental checks and assessment of the likely (detrimental) impact on the Minnamurra River catchment area of the construction and future operation the new Shellharbour Hospital at Dunmore.

The need to ensure that any run-off from this area across the electorate boundary does not impact river water quality.

3. Similarly, ensure that the proposed relocation of Kiama Council’s Work Depot to the Minnamurra Recycling Centre is done with full environmental assessment to eliminate any negative impacts upon the river.

4. Provide sufficient local road funding to Kiama Council to enable timely construction of the planned road safety improvements to the intersection of Charles Avenue and Federal Street, Minnamurra, where several accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians have occurred.

5. Ensure that an integrated helipad is provided upon opening of the new Shellharbour Hospital that will serve the Kiama area.

6. Work with the local Federal member to apply pressure to Telstra and other mobile carriers to improve cellular coverage for Minnamurra residents, who are presently only served by 3G and patchy 4G coverage.

7. Provide support for the development of a mural for the railway underpass on Federal Street.

8. Ensure that the NSW Government takes over responsibility for maintenance of the Jamberoo Mountain Road to Robertson from Kiama Council given the roads strategic importance as an alternate westerly access to the frequently closed Macquarie Pass.

There are obviously many other (more general) matters of importance to the electorate, but the above have a direct impact on Minnamurra residents.

Mr Cliff Mason

Secretary, Minnamurra Progress Association Inc.