July 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 1 Kangaroo Valley Voice Volume 13 Issue 1 ISSN 1833-8402 Circulation 800 July 2007 $2 RTA has it all wrong “After meetings, consultations, more meetings and plenty of letters the RTA Is this community being taken for a ride? is not listening to our needs” is the claim of the members of RAG. “This is arrogant, professionally negligent and their plans would therefore be an inappropriate use of public funds. The Moss Vale Road Action Group (RAG) represents many of the local associations and together we seek to protect all those who use the road and protect our heritage. We simply believe that the two RTA proposals presented as the No.1 safety issues for Moss Vale Road are not the priorities for our community and our tourist industry. As they currently stand the RTA’s proposals will cause irreparable damage to our National Trust listed landscape. And importantly we believe that these ad hoc ideas do not form a sound strategic plan for the future. One horror spot; the junction of Tourist Road What is particularly frustrating is to note the hairpin bends, the lack of road markings, that for years the parents of the public the poor road drainage and the insufficient and Moss Valle Road where trucks cross the warnings prior to crossing Hampden Bridge. double lines and threaten motorist’s safety. school have asked politely for a school Despite this the RTA has continued to permit crossing, that the community for years has Proof that trucks cross double white asked for safer speeds traffic to cross Hampden Bridge at 60 kph while pedestrians sway to and fro. unbroken lines. and that residents have called Proof of poor and dangerous signage. for wildlife and livestock warnings. Permit cyclists to drop off the side of the road when heavy traffic passes. Proof of dangerous road shoulders. Little if any thing has been done. Proof of road kill. They even turn a blind eye to the daily illegal This community has pointed out the dangers of Using the RTA’s own figures we were able to actions of truck drivers as they try to prove that most accidents occur on corners and navigate the mountain passes (something non junctions – locations where they have not they often have to do due to the road design). attributed any funds. And astoundingly the RTA ignores the dangers It was even possible to quote the RTA team, to our children as the school zone signs lay who look after the bridge, and confirm that their camouflaged. sensors have noted many vehicles crossing with What is so shocking is that after we have all The RTA’s own report – EIS 2002 - states that complained, lobbied and protested about the the road is unsuitable for trucks and B Doubles. real issues the RTA now want to spend the best Their reports clearly state that Kangaroo Valley part of half a million dollars. is “an area of high conservation value”. On two actions none of us have asked for. Yet the democratically requested pathways that (Continued on page 5) would cost a similar amount are not built due to insufficient funding. At the RTA organized public meeting in early Club closes! June many photographs highlighting the serious Winter Dance Wonderland (see more page 10) Moss Vale Road were presented. See story page 28 News p1–17 Folk Festival 18-19 Regular columns p25-33 Sport p31-32 Directory p32-34 Wot’s on p35 July 2007 Kangaroo Valley Voice Page 2 Published by K angaroo Kangaroo Valley Voice Incorporated. Editorial alley V Registration # Y2627221 oice V Ructions and rumbles The monthly community newspaper of Kangaroo Valley Office Bearers The big issue of the year so far in the Bowling Club, (full statement on page 28) with Valley, without doubt, has been the the Bomaderry Bowling Club Board wanting to President Carl Leddy RTA proposals for safety improvements withdraw from the amalgamation process,. Treasurer Position available That decision needs to be ratified by the Secretary Larraine Hahlos on Moss Vale Road. members at a special meeting, but the Committee Win Palmer There is extensive coverage on our news and temporary closure of the Valley Club is a Sheila Young letters pages about the public meetings, the prudent measure by the new Board who are Joan Bray distorted reports and the continuing campaign Laurie De Ville determined that the facility will not be lost to by RAG to face the bureaucratic juggernaut Editor Carl Leddy this community. which opposes this community. Advertising On other positive news, the Primary School did After the public meeting the Voice conducted Journalists Joan Bray well in the recent Shoalhaven Eisteddford, our own Vox pop putting the same question to Win Palmer A second place in the percussion competition Liz Aitken 10 people who had attended the meeting. and a second in verse speaking. Ron Bower The meeting itself was a struggle for the On the tourism industry front, Kangaroo Wot’s On Position available “independent” facilitator, who bowed to Valley, the exclusive nature tourist destination Sports Report Kate Rutherford pressure from the audience to set aside his pre Legal Advisers A P Sparke & Broad had four finalists in the best Cabins, Cottages determined structure for the meeting (with Computer operator Hope Kennedy and Units in the South Coast Awards for emphasis on sticky walls) and had difficulty in Excellence in Tourism 2007. restraining the various RTA spokespeople from Editorial Office. This emphasises that Kangaroo Valley with its putting forth a stream of departmental wide range of quality accommodation telephone (02)-4465 1621 platitudes in answer to a myriad of concerned offers some of the best in this region. and serious questions from a large number of The finalists were Barrengarry Boutique Farm concerned and serious residents. Kangaroo Valley Voice was originally established under Cottage (award of destination), Cloudsong the Small Towns Program (an initiative of the The impression was clearly one of a (finalists), Crystal Creek Meadows (joint Department of Business & Regional Development). patronising, superior attitude from the large winner) and Kangaroo Valley Tourist Park K.V. Voice Inc. aims to support & develop the Valley’s RTA team who relied upon the worth of their economic, social & communication infrastructure. The (award of encouragement). own decision making capabilities and merely Committee & Assistants are all volunteers, who donate Full coverage of the awards in the August issue. their time and expertise for the benefit of our readers. offered lip service to the public. There is more news on the upcoming folk All Valley residents, clubs & organisations are invited to Councillor Anderson obtained a rare direct festival and coverage of the recent visit of the forward editorial submissions. answer to one of his questions about the current Song Company and the impending concert by The K.V. Voice is financially self sufficient due to state of play of the two projects. income received from local businesses and advertising. Simone Young (see page 31). RTA’s Trish McLure responded with “The The Pre school winter dance was another decision has not been made”. DISCLAIMER resounding success. Our question to the surveyed group was “Do The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are The imagination and organisation of our local you believe that statement ?”. made in good faith by Kangaroo Valley community members. community groups is commendable and vital K.V. Voice Inc., Committee, volunteers and contributors do not Eight said no! for the continued improvement of our facilities. take responsibility for any statements advertisement, notice, One said yes! letter or opinions published. Such are published at the risk of the The Song Company was able to squeeze into its contributor, who accepts liability for any intended publication. All One was undecided. program the following Wesley-Smith song contributors agree to indemnify the publisher and warrant that the The RTA certainly has not convinced Valley material is accurate and is neither deceptive or misleading, in (written that morning!): breach of copyright, defamatory or in breach of any laws. residents, even though they made a statement to the South Coast Register A Kangaroo Valley Prayer PRINTED BY: Red Barron Printing, Bomaderry. NSW that there was “broad support for their plan”. by Peter Wesley-Smith DISTRIBUTED BY: Australia Post. Graphics used in advertising courtesy of ClickArt This is really a stubborn, head in the sand, The good Lord, in thy wisdom and goodness, Incredible 65,000 Image Pak © 1996, T/Maker Co. approach, discarding genuine community thou giveth concern. And Lord, thou hath taken away DEADLINES There is a naming competition in this Voice Thou gaveth us this bloody rain about the tree lined road (page 3) and there will Now taketh the RTA! for t he A ugust i ssue o f t he ‘ VOICE’ be much more to come on this subject for sure. Advertising, There are also some twists in the fortunes of the Quite eloquently topical. Carl Leddy Wot’s O n , C alender To the Editor, & S ports R eport Letters t o t he E ditor RTA are on the right track July 2 0, 2 007 All letters must be signed by Editorial S ubmissions the writer and give both It was with disbelief and then absolute disgust business and home phone July 2 2, 2 007 numbers so letters can be that I read the front page article of last month's verified. Kangaroo Valley Voice. Please do not leave your My thoughts turned to the parents of the six submission Mail to : young people killed when they hit a tree which until the last day; The Editor is almost on the road in the area referred to in c/o Post Office the article.