To this end they publicly exhibit proposals and projects and invite community feedback.

There are quite a few proposals and strategies currently on exhibition which you may like to comment about including:
Draft 2012/13 Operational Plan and Budget
Smoke Free Outdoor Dining Proposal
Draft Strategy to Deal with Illegal Dumping
Draft Telecommunications and Radio communications Infrastructure Policy
Draft Section 94 Developer Contributions Plan For Roads And Traffic Facilities 2012 To 2031
Bong Bong Common Precinct Plan of Management
Loseby Park Draft Plan of Management

In particular, there is the draft 2012/13 Operational Plan and Budget which highlights Council’s major program of works for the forthcoming financial year including:
Construction of the Moss Vale Indoor Aquatic Centre
Civic Centre refurbishment
Pool renewal upgrade strategy
Local roads resealing programme
Robertson Sewerage Scheme

The deadline for comments about the Operation Plan and Budget is 10 June 2012, with final versions up for adoption at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Wednesday 27 June 2012.

All of Wingecarribee Shire Council’s exhibition items are listed at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/development/whats-on-public-exhibition. Larger proposals can be found on our dedicated community engagement website www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au. Associated documents are also available in print form at our libraries and the Customer Service Counter, Wingecarribee Shire Council Civic Centre, Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.

Issued by:
CHARMAINE COOPER | Community Engagement Coordinator  | Wingecarribee Shire Council
P: 02 4868 0861  |  F: 02 4869 1203  | M: 0409 618 404 |
E: charmaine.cooper@wsc.nsw.gov.au  |  www.wsc.nsw.gov.au
Civic Centre Elizabeth Street Moss Vale NSW 2577  |  PO Box 141 Moss Vale NSW 2577  |  DX 4961 Bowral

“Origin will retain the option to recommence work on its development application at some point in the future.”

“Personally I would like to say that the project team are very appreciative of the support that the community has offered and the way they have worked with us across this period.” Ms Howard said.

The proposed Kerrawary Power Station was one of five gas fired power station proposals for the areas to the south and west of Canyonleigh and would have been Australia’s second largest gas fired power station.

The Canyonleigh community will be relieved to know that at least one of the power stations will not proceed at this time.

Preferred hours 7am to 11am.

Please phone 4878 9158.

Held annually, this presentation recognises the service and dedication of Ambulance personnel from across the state. The importance of these awards to the Ambulance Service was highlighted through the presence of an official party that included no less than an Assistant Commissioner and several Chief Superintendents, along with various Inspectors.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tony Gately addressed the award recipients, saying it is important to stop, reflect and acknowledge the efforts of our paramedics. He added that it is a privilege to serve and wear the uniform and encouraged paramedics to strive every day to be the best they can in their role.

Since Roman times medals have been worn and valued with pride. The message to the group of paramedics was that it was the same today and especially so because the medals have been presented by the people of NSW. Awards were presented in recognition of efforts for service overseas and interstate as well as good conduct and long service. In all eighteen medals were presented.

Fiona Vanderbeek speaking at Ambulace Service NSW Awards Presentation.

In addressing the audience, Fiona Vanderbeek said she was very honoured to be invited to speak and was quite “gobsmacked” by the invitation. She started by saying that Canyonleigh really is more than just a place on an exit sign on the freeway.
Fiona began with a short overview explaining how the enthusiastic support of the SES meant that Canyonleigh CFR was established as a group of sixteen volunteers serving an area challenged by distance and telecommunications. Fiona highlighted the sequence of events that saw the group undergo SES and ASNSW training and qualify to become a CFR unit just over a year ago. On average Canyonleigh CFR attends 3-4 calls monthly.

Utilising the Chain of Survival model, used for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, Fiona described how the model also fits the role of a CFR within the Ambulance Service in relation to a call out that took place just before Christmas. She went on to explain what CFR units do and how they work together as part of the larger team. From the time the 000 call was received, through to the evacuation of the patient by helicopter, this case was a perfect example of a seamless system of care for the patient.

At the completion of the case study, Fiona thanked the Ambulance Service on behalf of all CFRs, saying how grateful they are to have been welcomed with open arms. She added that the Ambulance Service continues to be hugely supportive to CFR units by providing equipment as well as running monthly training sessions and that Canyonleigh CFR were honoured to play their small part in patient survival.

Since making her presentation Fiona has received feedback that a number of the Ambulance Service personnel present have made it known that they now have a better understanding of the role of Community First Responders and the important part they play in patient care and treatment at the scene.

To celebrate the end of the major work and thank the road crew, a number of whom we felt we’d come to know -  even thought it was by sight and a wave, a small party was held after the final day of work.

Canyonleigh Community Association put on food and drinks and locals donated wine and beer. Jacqueline Wilson (President) officially thanked the Downer EDI team adding that they had guided us courteously and kindly through the sludge.

Project Managers from Downer said that they were overwhelmed by the event and that there is no doubt about country people because nothing like this has ever happened before. They added that the conditions at times were treacherous, not only with the rain but later on with fog. It is Downer policy to keep everyone safe and they said they didn’t know how we were so patient, thanking those who travelled safely. On behalf of us all as tax payers, they thanked Wingecarribee Shire Council for contributing to the road which will have a life span of 20 years.

The team for the Canyonleigh job came together from all over NSW including the far South Coast, West Wyalong, Campbelltown and Richmond. Brittany was the star of the team with her beaming smile and as the only girl. She worked the 7 weeks to fund her overseas trip and flew out days after they finished up.  The crew all said they how much they appreciated the community’s response especially during the delays travelling to and from Canyonleigh. It took a bit of explaining to say that we were just so pleased to have the road repaired and were very appreciative of the efforts the crew made, and in such difficult conditions.

The Canyonleigh Road team has scattered attending jobs around the country including repairing roads after the recent floods. We wish them well and hope they continue to stay safe.

The Bannaby Power station proposes connection to the Moomba to Sydney gas pipeline. Snowy Hydro spokesperson Paul Johnston told the Chronicle that “at the moment options for the gas pipeline route to the site of the proposed Bannaby power station are being assessed.”

The Bannaby and Kerrawary proposals may have shared some infrastructure including gas pipeline easements to the Moomba to Sydney gas pipeline.

The Hanging Rock Power Station proposal for a site off Hanging Rock Rd just south of Canyonleigh was originally lodged in 2008.  The Department of Planning issued revised Director General’s Requirements for this project on 2 March 2012.

TRUenergy hold approvals to build two adjacent power stations on the Canyonleigh Rd at Brayton.  TRUenergy lodged a Modification Request in February 2012 with the Department of Planning to consolidate the two approvals, known as the Marulan Gas Fired Power Stations, into a single footprint, with construction and operation of single water supply pipeline, and a shortened transmission line.

When the area dried out, almost a month later, Canyonleigh residents could be seen out collecting rubbish and abandoned items along several sections of local roads.

This year’s tally included a matching pair of lounge chairs, part of a pair of jeans (we’re left to wonder which parts were missing), a single sock, a wheel disc brake and the tread of a truck tyre.

This year it was also noted that in the litter stakes beer stubbies had been replaced by Red Bull and other caffeine drinks as the most discarded litter, closely followed as always by McDonalds and KFC. It’s such a shame people can’t take their rubbish home with them.

Canyonleigh Community Association organised the morning and George Barnett did a great job with his trailer picking up bags of refuse and items cleared by the volunteers.

Rubbish collectors were then treated to a great lunch at Canyonleigh Store, where they also gathered for a final tally and a photograph.

There will be suri alpacas to handle, demonstrations of animal husbandry and an opportunity to look at farm infrastructure and learn about pasture management.  For children (or anyone else!) there will be baby alpacas (called “cria”) to see and an opportunity to take one of our younger suris for a walk!  And, if you join us at 3.00pm, we will be heading off for a guided feed-time walk around the farm – we provide the hay and you feed the alpacas!

And so, how exactly did an English medical manager and an Australian pilot come to be farming suri alpacas in Canyonleigh….
If you had asked me twelve years ago what I envisaged myself doing around the time I hit my fifties – “farming suri alpacas in Canyonleigh” would not have been the answer – in fact I would not have known what a suri alpaca was.  In 2000 I was living in my homeland of England, with Ian, my Australian husband of two years, and enjoying a career in medical management.  However, his career in aviation resulted in a job offer in Sydney too good to refuse.  And so, we sold our beautiful old house in the English countryside and packed our lives into a 40-foot container…

We did not want to return to city living, and yet needed to be accessible to Sydney, and so were drawn to the Southern Highlands.  We wanted acreage and to farm something on it – despite never having owned an animal larger than a cat at this fairly mature stage of our lives.  This led us to a beautiful, but very run down 100 acres at Canyonleigh – and so – what to do with it?  The land is too light to run cattle; sheep are too labour intensive; goats would escape under fences on hilly land colonised by burrowing wombats.  And then, when on holiday in the Hunter Valley, we stumbled across a small open farm displaying alpacas.  We thought they were interesting and on returning home spotted an advertisement for a new alpaca breeders’ workshop.  And so began, some ten years ago, our involvement with the suri alpaca…

The sight of alpacas grazing in the paddocks of the Southern Highlands is no longer a rarity – they are particularly well suited to the climate, native pastures and light soils of Canyonleigh.  Australia is home to the second largest national alpaca herd in the world (after the alpaca’s homeland of South America) with 90% of these being “huacaya” (pronounced “wa-ky-uh”) alpacas with their crimpy fleece, similar in style to a merino sheep.  The much rarer “suri” (pronounced “soo-ree”) with its fleece of silken tassels, was the type which attracted us from the outset.

Alpacas are bred primarily for their fleece (though there is now a fledgling meat and hide industry), and it was the totally unique qualities of suri fibre which demonstrated huge potential to us.  Suri has an extraordinary lustre, is silkily smooth to handle, is warm and lightweight and yet extremely hardwearing and strong.  It is a rare natural fibre destined for top-end niche markets.  Although alpacas come in all colours from white, through shades of fawn and brown, to grey and black, we chose from day one to focus on pure white suris; white fleece will always command the highest price due to its ability to be dyed to whatever colour fashion demands.

When first alpacas were introduced to Australia, over twenty years ago, they commanded exorbitant prices – making them out of reach for most people, and resulting in them being treated as exotic pets rather than as a viable form of livestock capable of providing a return on investment.

Fortunately, as alpaca numbers in Australia have increased, so the quality has gone up and the price come down – so that the new breeder interested in purchasing their first alpacas can now buy reasonable quality females for as little as $500.
Alternatively, those not interested in breeding may look at purchasing wethers (castrated males) to be used for fleece production, to protect lambs or chooks from foxes (alpacas do not like foxes and will chase them out of paddocks), or simply to act as the most attractive, low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly lawn mower on the market!  Wethers can generally be purchased for around $250.

And so, in ten years we have come full circle – from visiting that open farm and attending an alpaca seminar, knowing nothing about this extraordinary animal, to sharing our knowledge and passion for suris with anyone interested in hearing us.  In addition to this Open Farm day, we run farm tours by appointment and alpaca handling & husbandry days several times each year.  We would love to see you on 20 May – whether you are interested in owning your own suri alpacas or simply want to bring the kids to enjoy spending some time with these exquisite animals.

Where on earth can you see dolphins, penguins, sea-lions, fur seals, koalas, penguins, ligurian bees, eagles, marron, Cape Barron geese, tammar wallabies and, of course, kangaroos?  It’s all on one island, Australia’s 3rd largest – Kangaroo Island.
The unspoilt beauty of this pristine island, with its rugged coastline and unique wildlife, make this a natural choice for exploration.  Adelaide is only a 2 hour drive to Cape Jervis where you can board the 45 minute ferry ride to Penneshaw with your vehicle.  Or you can fly direct in 30 minutes from Adelaide to Kingscote.

You will need three days to experience the wonders of the habitat of the native animals in Flinders Chase National Park, see Admirals Arch which is home to 7,000 New Zealand fur seals and Seal Bay Conservation Park where the colony of Australian Sea Lions can be watched from the boardwalk along the beach.  Perhaps you would like to feed the hundred pelicans at Kingscote Wharf or watch the nocturnal habits of the fairy penguins at Penneshaw.  Another colony of penguins can also be seen at Kingscote near the fresh water aquarium.  Take in the Hanson Bay Koala sanctuary or marvel at the kookaburras, owls and eagles at the free flight show of Australian Birds of Prey.  Visit Clifford’s Honey Farm for some Ligurian bee home-made honey icecream or a sheep milking dairy producing fresh cheeses and yoghurts.  Freshwater crayfish is produced at the Marron farm and at Emu Ridge there is a Eucalyptus distillery, not to mention a lavender farm or two!  Have I mentioned that Kangaroo Island is the newest wine region in South Australia with 18 home-grown labels and wine tasting at Two Wheeler Creek wines?

For a rest, you may need to head for the “best beach in Australia” at Vivonne Bay or to the white sand dunes of the Little Sahara for some sand boarding or tobogganing.  The all year round mild climate makes it ideal for nature based walking in the National Park or around the Kelly Hill limestone caves.

Eco friendly Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, located adjacent to the Flinders Chase National Park, offers accommodation suitable for all ages and budgets and wallabies, possums and bandicoots interact with guests in the bush courtyard.  Or, if you want the best uninterrupted view in Australia from the most luxurious sanctuary of refined comfort (for us humans that is), then the Southern Ocean Lodge at Hanson Bay is for you.  Forget staying three days – you will need three weeks to see and do all that is on offer on this beautiful island.

So if you can visit the “living zoo” soon, make sure you call in to Moss Vale Cruise & Travel and ask Denise about her adventures where even the rock formations on Kangaroo Island are remarkable!

For more details on Kangaroo Island and South Australia, contact Denise, Anni, Carol, Michele and Renee at Moss Vale Cruise & Travel on telephone 02 4868 1177 or call in to 413 Argyle Street, Moss Vale.

Pete & Amanda proudly display their ribbons and certificates - and the kids of both kinds.

Washing, clipping, grooming, yelling:  it’s all a part of the dramas that go on to get the goats ready for their day in the spotlight. However, this year there were no real dramas as in previous years. It seems that practice does make perfect and the results were another success.  Whilst no grand champions were produced this year, there were quite a few ribbons awarded for the Amberleigh Angoras.  All up Pete & Amanda’s Angoras collected five awards, but the award most coveted was a second place at Goulburn for `Dam & Progeny’.  Says Pete, “This was the first time that we received an award for goats that have been fully bred on our stud – the dam and progeny were products of our own fully bred buck and doe,”

Of course, Pete & Amanda are still wearing big grins and looking forward to show time 2013.

After the moist and warm summer and autumn, it seems that breeding conditions for beasties was perfect.  Apart from snakes and spiders, we seemed to be the target for rats, mice, maggots and fleas as well.  The Minister for Domestic Affairs seemed to be the prime target for fleas: indoors and outdoors.  Obviously we targeted the dog as the main culprit – washed, back-lined, flea collar, flea powder, back-lined again, washed again and again, but yet the fleas still kept coming.  The final answer?  Insect bombs by the truck load!  So far we are flea-free in the home but a word or warning – if you have rats in the ceiling, use a trap and not poison. Dead rats in the ceiling and walls also bring little white wiggly unwelcomed visitors. Why wasn’t any of this in the Country Living brochure?

In my last piece from the Top End I wrote about a hidden piece of Canyonleigh that, in hindsight, I had no permission to visit.  My neighbours and I extend a heartfelt apology to the owner and leasee of the property.  The lesson learnt is that nobody should consider travelling to or through a person’s property without first getting permission. Yes, there are some wonderful areas in Canyonleigh, but ask first before you travel (and remember to close the gate) – it is, after all, trespassing which is an offence in itself.

If you, like me, wondered what Mount Penang Road leads to, it is private property. So ask for permission to travel past the end of Mount Penang Road. Now the questions to be asked (and answered): Is Mount Penang Road a public or private road?  Most street maps, sat navs, web sites and even council’s own maps list it as a public access road for several kilometres.  But where does it officially end? The powerlines is the consensus.  If it is a public road, why is there no street sign?

Until next time.
Terry Biscoe

The Chronicle would also like to apologise to the land holder for publishing the article without his consent. – Ed.