After the summer fires ripped through and wiped out the access to Flatrock and Dee Beach we are happy to let you guys know, the beach is back and open for business. Stairs and access to both beaches are now complete.

The new speed zone on Bendalong road has come into play.
This came about from a motion put forward buy Lex Frew about 3 years ago and supported by those present as he was concerned about the devastation of wild life on the road. Sadly still happening today as the dead wombats laying on the side of the road are a testament to that.

STEPS AT DEE BEACH AND FLAT ROCK
Council has informed that these will be replaced with work scheduled to begin this week.

A message from Manyana Matters

YOU ARE INVITED TO STAND UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THIS SATURDAY,

Yulunga Reserve, Sunset Strip, Manyana – 10am

We have a plan so humor us and BRING A SURFBOARD. Alternatively, bring a push bike and bike lock. (Trust us on this, okay?) All will be revealed on the day. We’re going to have some fun.

This is a Covid-cool and family-friendly event. It goes without saying, wear or bring a protest sign. Dress the little ones in characters from the Aussie bush.

Why are we holding this event? Just take a look at the map of how little unburnt land surrounds Manyana! It’s time to stand up and send a loud message to our Government that we won’t tolerate any further destruction to the environment.

The developer’s consultant has advised Council that, “site set up (fencing, site sheds etc) has been provisionally programmed for 4 May 2020 and commencement of vegetation clearing on 7 May 2020.”

Senior management notified Councillors to make them aware of the imminent commencement of works.

May the 4th be with us…..

At 8 am the local community were lining up to get their clean up Australia Day bags. After the devastating fires came through I was unsure how much rubbish would actually collect. The kids and I first started at the Green Island track and I was happy to say we only found 5 pieces of rubbish and a pair of old broken crutches… With our empty bag we drove back to Bendalong to North Inyada Beach where there were already volunteers picking up rubbish. After the fire ripped through we were able to go quite deep into the bush and we filled bags and bags of empty beer bottles. On behalf of the RHVA Thanks to everyone who filled a bag (or bags).

Listed here are CURRENT bulletins. For archived material, go to the 2019/2020 Bushfires page.

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
  
  1. Free counselling services.

  Over 1000 psychologists, counsellors, social workers and other therapists throughout Australia have offered their services free of charge to assist people in recovering from the bushfire crisis. Their contact details are being compiled in a database that can be accessed via the link below – this is a work in progress, please keep an eye out for updates and streamlining of the search process.

  http://freetherapistsforbushfiresurvivors.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR0jhM_WYkWIff_XrJwvmPMuQB-Ye5NPWCyi5Cq_LxwG5pvSo8z7ciAtHXY
  
  2. Free phone services:

  Beyond Blue NSW – 1300 224 636
  Lifeline – 13 11 14
  Mensline AU – 1300 78 99 78
  Headspace (Teens) – 1800 650 890
  Kids Helpline (Children) – 1800 55 1800

  Beyond Blue have also published a resource including common reactions to bush fire exposure, and support options for individuals as well as for parents managing children’s reactions to these experiences https://www.beyondblue.org.au/…/bushfires-and-mental-health/

  Additional government services can be found here: https://www.coordinare.org.au/for-the-community/local-initiatives-and-community-support/bushfire-support

  3. Accessing psychological support services under the Medical Benefits Scheme
  

  The Medical Benefits Scheme has been expanded to give people affected by bushfires access to up to 10 psychological therapy sessions (in addition to the 10 already covered by Medicare, for people with a mental health plan). These additional services DO NOT require referral from a GP and DO NOT require a mental health plan to be in place, “patients can instead seek appointments directly from eligible mental health professionals”. For more information, see:
  https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/government-announces-76-million-for-bushfire-menta

• DONATIONS – Scroll down for information on fund raising for a critical response kit for the Red Head Villages.

Volunteers and army reservists backloading donated goods, Thursday 16 January 2020.

Saturday 25 January 2020
6-9pm Manyana Community Hall
Yulunga Reserve

Our community has faced one of its toughest times. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing people who have contributed in so many ways to the protection of our homes and our safety, and who have swung into action to ensure that our recovery begins as swiftly as possible.

While we are currently deep in the recovery phase, it is important to prepare for the future to ensure that we are better prepared to handle any future crises. Thank you so much to all who have already donated funds to our community for this purpose.

One of our goals is to establish a critical response kit which includes solar power, satellite phone and internet connectivity, hand-held radios and other specialised equipment that would have been of enormous benefit to assist the teams striving to protect people and property during the crisis. Better communications and access to power would also have supported residents and tourists during and after the emergency.

In any future crisis, immediate access to a robust and reliable critical response kit will provide significant support for the community, help speed the recovery phase and further enhance the resilience of the region.

Here are the bank details for anyone wishing to donate to this important initiative:
BSB: 032 701
Acc: 186 246
Reference: Crisis response

NB This is the same cause that money is being raised for via the Go Fund Me campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/f/nsw-south-coast-fires-red-head-villages-recovery. Money donated via either channel will be used for the same purpose.

Sincere thanks to all.

The annual general meeting of the RHVA will be held on Saturday 25 January at 3pm in the hall at Yulunga Reserve.

At the AGM we will give you a run down on what’s gone on in 2019, answer any questions you may have, then all positions on the executive are vacated and a new committee will be elected.
 
If you have not served on the RHVA committee and would like to do your bit for the community, we encourage you to nominate. Many of the executive do not intend to run again in 2020 (and the rest are probably only filling the role as no one else has put their hand up!) so we NEED YOUR HELP!
 
Executive positions :

• President
• Secretary
• Minutes Secretary
• Treasurer
• Public Officer
• Planning & Development Co-ordinator
• Environmental Co-ordinator
• Infrastructure Co-ordinator
• Social & Community Co-ordinator
• Webmaster

 
If you’d like to know more about what a particular role involves, please don’t hesitate to have a chat with the current office bearer. Contact details can be found at: https://rhva.org.au/commitee-members/
 
An office bearer nomination form can be downloaded from https://rhva.org.au/rhva-meetings/ or obtained by emailing the secretary at rhva.secretary@gmail.com
 
Nominations must be received in writing at least 7 days before the AGM (i.e. by the 18^th of January). They must be signed by two current members of the association and endorsed by the nominee. You can also self nominate.
 
As nominations come in, they will be posted on the RHVA website.

Unfortunately, the chick that hatched recently at Inyadda beach did not make it, but the hoodie pair has laid more eggs, expected to hatch around January 4.

PLEASE HELP ensure their survival by keeping dogs on leashes and giving the birds a wide berth.

Thank you!

Further to the post below on the meeting with council about the review of controls on Temporary Visitor Accommodation in the LEP, you can give your feedback via a questionnaire on Council’s website –  https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/tourist-and-visitor-accommodation-review

Deadline for completion 13 December 2019.

To see a set of recommended answers provided by the Berry Forum, click here.

On December 2, SCC will commence maintenance works on the rock cover at the transition from the beach to the picnic area and carpark at Boat Harbour Beach. This will involved repositioning of existing rocks and placement of additional large rocks along the area identified in the picture below. Work is expected to take 2 weeks, so will hopefully be completed in time for the holiday season.

A BBQ will also be added to the picnic area at eastern end.

Please note that the tab “Information on Manyana Beach Estate” has been removed from the main menu. The information provided under that tab has been moved to “Manyana Beach Estate” under “Latest Hot Topics”, where all the latest information is also available.

Due to ongoing matters regarding insurance, the general meeting of the RHVA scheduled for Saturday 16 November 2019 has been cancelled. This is most regrettable, but the RHVA executive considers the association to be in a precarious position, and that cancellation pending resolution of these issues is the most prudent course of action.

In short, meetings of community consultative bodies (CCBs) such as the RHVA are covered by council for public liability. However, council does not provide public liability cover for events other than CCB meetings, nor does it provide cover for matters such as defamation. Obtaining this additional cover comes at a cost of over $1200, which is difficult for our small association to accommodate, and reduces the ability of the RHVA to help fund community projects.

The executive is continuing to try to resolve this issue with council. Any suggestions as to how money to cover this insurance might be raised by the community would gratefully received.

In the meantime, as listed below, there are MANY current issues that will likely be of interest to members, including current and pending developments (Manyana Beach Estate and Inyadda Drive). Information pertaining to most of these issues can be found on this website (e.g. in posts below and under Correspondence In/Out, Community Projects and Latest Hot Topics).

Please keep any eye on the website in coming days for updates and further documentation relating to the matters listed below.

• Meeting of Inyadda Drive Planning Proposal Focus Group with JWD Projects and GHD regarding the Inyadda Drive Planning Proposal (15 November 2019) to discuss the Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report – updates will be provided under Latest Hot Topics
• Progress on the Berringer/Cunjurong link pathway – see Community Projects Tab
• Shorebirds – hooded plovers nesting at south end of Inyadda – see post below
• The recent Coastal Management survey (relevant to management of Lake Conjola opening) – see post below
• Tourist and Visitor Accommodation and Clause 2.8 (Temporary Use of Land) Review – meeting with council held 13 November, updates to follow – keep an eye on Correspondence In/Out and Latest Hot Topics. If you are interested in providing feedback to council on this issue (which relates, for example, to use of properties as wedding venues)  PLEASE REFER TO ONLINE SURVEY (deadline 13 December 2019) at https://getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/tourist-and-visitor-accommodation-review
• Manyana Beach Estate – CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ISSUED!!  More information to follow shortly – keep an eye on the Latest Hot Topics tab.
  
• Murals update – heaps of fantastic progress. Refer to Community Projects page.
• Bendalong Boat Harbour – refer to Correspondence In/Out
• Surf Schools – refer to Correspondence In/Out
• Shoalhaven Transition full application for Environmental Trust grant – this grant application includes a proposal to conduct BioBlitzes in our area. A BioBlitz workshop will be held on Friday 6 December in Ulladulla from 2-4pm. Register by 22 November by sending an email to budawangcoast@gmail.com
• Plant barrier erected at the beach access at the bottom of Quebec – thank you to council for this attractive, common sense, environmentally friendly approach
  
• Bush care – meets first Saturday of the month. After much hard work on Manyana Beach, the focus is shifting to Cunjurong Point. To join, and find out more about times and locations, please contact Bushcare at redheadbushcare@gmail.com 

The pair of hooded plovers at south Inyadda have three eggs, expected to hatch in late November. Thank you to everyone for giving these little guys the best possible choice (inc. avoiding fenced off areas, keeping dogs leashed).

A reminder too of the difference between the critically endangered hooded plover, a very small bird with a black head and white strip at the neck (see picture below, with chick) and the much more common, equally small red capped plover (second image below). Both are lovely, but the hoodies need as much help as we can give them.

Please have your say on the future management of coastal areas and estuaries in the Shoalhaven by completing SCC’s questionnaire by 31 October 2019.

Click here to access the online survey or download a hard copy version.

This is our chance to share our thoughts and suggestions on this important topic. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and allows plenty of room for commentary, as well as “ticking boxes”.

From the SCC website:

The questionnaire responses will inform a single Scoping Study which covers all of Shoalhaven’s coastline and estuaries. Council will then use this Study to develop multiple CMPs each with their own specific mix of values, threats and opportunities.

Shoalhaven City Council is holding a community information session on the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan(DCP) relating to tourist and visitor accommodation and temporary land use in the Shoalhaven.

Wednesday 13 November 4 – 6pm, Council Chambers, Nowra.

For more information, click here.

The images below show how the beautiful new sea eagle mural on the Cunjurong Point bus shelter is gradually revealing itself. Thank you Glenn! More photos to come over the coming weeks. Estimated completion date is the first week of November. Keep an eye out as you pass by!

Exciting news! Our much valued playground at Yulunga Reserve is to be given a major makeover. Actually, it’s an entirely new playground. Thank you to Shoalhaven City Council for making this possible and to the members of the Yulunga Reserve Committee and RHVA for working with council and the community to get the best possible result.

Construction of the new playground is scheduled to begin in the week of 7 October and continue for 3 weeks.

THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS TO THE PLAYGROUND DURING THIS TIME!

It’s Spring (yay) so it must be October long weekend Manyana Market time!

Come to Yulunga Reserve on Sunday 6 October to see what’s on offer, have a friendly chat and enjoy delicious food. It’s a great chance to find that special Christmas present!

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW FINISH TIME – 1pm. Come before lunch to avoid disappointment! Better still, get your morning tea and lunch at the market 🙂

Sept 2019 -REPORT FROM YULUNGA RESERVE COMMITTEE to RHVA

September Report Environmental 2019

Planning and Development July-Sept 2019

It’s that time of year again when our precious shorebirds come to our beaches to (hopefully) produce another generation! Jodie Dunn, NPWS South Coast Shorebird Recovery Coordinator, has kindly provided some useful information to help us help the birds. Please have a read and encourage others to do so.

NPWS Shorebird nesting information

Pied Oyster Catcher and chicks. Image attribution: South Coast Shorebird Recovery Program – https://engage.environment.nsw.gov.au/south-coast-shorebird-recovery-program/photos/27315

Due to administrative complications, the community event proposed for SATURDAY 10 AUGUST to collect votes for the community garden CANNOT BE CONFIRMED.

However, clear and informative “how to vote” instructions can be found by clicking here. Voting closes August 15 so don’t delay.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

You may have heard about the amazing plans for an inclusive and interactive community garden in the Yulunga Reserve. A submission has been made for a grant to help turn this vision into reality.

Grant success depends on community support via a voting system. There are eleven projects competing for funding in our electorate so PLEASE HELP by adding your vote for the Manyana Community Garden!

Instructions for how to vote can be found here:

https://mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au/

In case you haven’t heard through Facebook, Manyana Matters or the grapevine, there has been an important development with the IDPP (formerly Kylor PP). Following a massive response from the community, the proponents have dropped the proposed addition to the footprint in the north east corner of the block.

The revised proposed footprint looks like this:

Please visit the “Inyadda Drive Planning Proposal” page on this website (under the “Latest Hot Topics” tab) for:

• further details on the current status of the planning proposal
• how to get automatic updates from SCC
• a link to the proponent-commissioned information website on the planning proposal (prepared by GHD, the consultants engaged by the proponents to conduct community liaison).

This is a reminder that RHVA have resolved to shorten RHVA General Meeting running times by putting up reports from RHVA executive committee members and the Yulunga Reserve Committee on the website one week before the next meeting, for your reading pleasure, so that these reports don’t have to be presented on the day.

You are of course able, and encouraged, to ask any questions you might have about these reports at the meeting.

To access the reports:

• go to the “RHVA Meetings” tab
• select “Preliminary Reading” from the drop-down menu

See you all at the meeting at 3pm on Saturday 20 July.

The RHVA would like to clarify that the concrete pathway from Inyadda car park to Bendalong is classified as an inclusive pathway. This means that it is a shared pathway for pedestrians, pedestrians with prams, cyclists and elderly on mobility scooters. Please feel free to refer anyone to this notice, if there is any confusion about this issue.

Shoalhaven City Council has advised that new village signs are to be erected as part of the Council Signage Strategy. To see the designs and their expected locations, refer to the links below.

Note that the name of Cunjurong Pt is currently spelt (or spelled, depending on your preference, given that we’re talking about spelling) incorrectly. A request for correction has been submitted to council.

It is not clear at this stage whether signs are also planned for Berringer Lake and North Bendalong.

Village Signs Design 12 June 2019

Village Signs Location June 2019

Notice of Closure of Lake Conjola Access Track –  Aboriginal Cultural Heritage – Shell Midden

Please be advised that Council will be temporarily closing down a lake access track from York St, Cunjurong Point, to the foreshore of Lake Conjola as per map below.

The reason for the closure of the access track, is the discovery by Council, of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage items, in the form of a shell midden, that is being directly impacted by the access track. Council  is required under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 to mitigate any damage to Aboriginal cultural heritage items, such as shell middens. For more information on shell middens types and where they found see https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nswcultureheritage/ShellMiddens.htm

Council contractors have been requested to temporarily close the track with signage and Council have advised the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) in Wollongong. Council have requested from NSW OEH to realign the track under a Conservation Agreement as soon as possible.

Please call me if you would like to discuss this matter further 44293300

Regarding a request from RHVA for a barrier to prevent vehicle access to the bush reserve off Alaska St, at the bottom of Quebec St, council has advised that this section of the reserve is a legal road owned by the Crown. Thus, a request for a gate needs to be approved by the RMS, Crown Lands and then put on public exhibition.  If everyone gives approval, council can proceed with installing a barrier.

The process has been initiated by SCC. Council considers Christmas 2019 to be a realistic time frame, due to the administrative procedures that need to be followed in this case, and the amount of projects that council is currently dealing with.

3pm at the hall at Yulunga Reserve.
All welcome.

Nominations opened on May 1 for these awards, closing 12 July (Volunteer of the Year Award) and 31 July (Regional and Achievement and Community Awards) 2019. More information can be found below:

2019 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards – Information for Nominators

Senior Geography students at Ulladulla High School are once again studying Bendalong Boat Habour, examining its history, impacts of human activity, degradation, community input and maintenance.

The students have prepared a short online community survey that takes only 5 minutes to complete.

This is a wonderful example of school engagement with the local community and the students would be very grateful for your contribution.

Click here to complete the survey.

The next general RHVA meeting date has been moved to May 25 due to the Federal Election. As our community hall is used as a polling booth, our meeting has been pushed forward one week. Still 3pm, Yulunga Hall. See you there!

…Check out the Lake Conjola Opening tab, under Latest Hot Topics. Future updates will be posted at that location.

Saturday 20 April

Public Meeting, Yulunga Community Hall 3pm.

Have your say about the proposed development of the North Manyana (formerly Kylor) site. For more information, scroll down…

NB RHVA recently met with the new owners of the site, JWD Projects, and their community engagement representatives, GHD. For an overview of the discussion, click here.

Sunday 21 April

Manyana Market, Yulunga Reserve 9am to 2pm.

Don’t miss out on the latest offerings from local suppliers, artists and producers!

Don’t miss the second of Manyana’s three fantastic market days for 2019!

Yulunga Reserve and Hall

9am – 2pm

Sunday 21 April 2019

See you there!

GET INVOLVED by meeting at the RHVA Blackboards, cnr Inyadda Dr and Bendalong Rd.

REGISTER 8.00am-10am

BRING Sunscreen, Hat,Shoes ,Gloves and Enthusiasm

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

THE RED HEAD VILLAGES – SHARED PATHWAY -INYADDA TO BENDALONG NOW COMPLETED – CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL !!!

On Saturday 16th June, 2018 the final concrete pour was done on the shared community pathway between the Inyadda Beach Car Park and Bendalong. This has been a project spanning many years and has involved the volunteer labour of many members over those years.

Special thanks go to Glenn North for his constant support over the years . Special thanks also  to President Kevin Millar and Mick Cvetkovic (Infrastructure )  for their management and commitment to the finalisation of the project .

Initial funding for the project was derived from  ongoing Shoalhaven City Council co-funding ,  private donations from Lars and Sammi Newman and the community donation tin at the Bendalong General Store.We thank all at the store  for assisting the project in this way.

The project gained extra impetus in the past few years due to the injection of grant funding from the NSW State Government’s Building Better Partnership Program .The Hon Shelley Hancock, Member for the South Coast and Clr Patricia White have given continuous support for this project . We thank also Lexie Meyer , our develoment coordinator , for the outstanding work she has done completing lengthy  funding application forms.

As a result of the local and state government funding, RHVA was able to hire local concrete contractors, the Walker Brothers, to complete the final stage of the project .

The communities of Manyana and Bendalong are now connected by a safe community pathway , constructed along an existing power  easement . Residents of all ages can be seen using the facility – from youngsters on scooters to senior citizens on motorised scooters.( Photo shows local resident, Peter King enjoying his walk on the pathway  last week.)The shared community pathway  encourages physical fitness for residents and visitors alike and develops social connectivity .

This is Stage 1 of the Red Head Villages’ Association (Inc ) lake and  coastal pathway program . Stage 2 will be constructed between Manyana and Berringer Lake, with the pathway following the easement from The Sunset Strip end of Manyana through the bush to Berringer Lake .

The Association invites you to experience the community pathway with family ,friends and visitors to our area. This is a great community asset ; to be enjoyed by all.

‘COAST ‘ DEVELOPMENT

Fountaindale Group have started clearing land at Manyana Drive, Manyana for its Coast Development which will create 40 new home sites for the village of Manyana. It is anticipated that works will be completed by March 2017 (??)

Pathway is no longer available between Manyana Drive and Manyana beach though the developer has offered some funding to construct a pathway on completion of the works.

The new loop road will be named “Dune Circuit.”

Discussions are underway with Shoalhaven Coucil and the Hon.Shelley Hancock regarding the amount of housing development planned for Manyana in the immediate future.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of infrastructure to support the amount of development.