Picture by Adam McLeanA polished Shellharbour FC had little trouble accounting for Port Kembla at Wetherall Park on Sunday to solidify their spot in the top four of the Illawarra Premier League All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueLed by quality utility Jacob Debein the visitors were good value for their fifth win of the campaign Debein gave Shellharbour a 1-0 lead with the last kick of the first half and then added his second and the team's second in the 74th minute The Rod Williams-coached Shellharbour made sure of the three competition points in the 84th minute courtesy of a well-taken goal by Mustafa Kardoli There was drama in the lead-up to the goal with the assistant referee seemingly lifting his flag to signal a foul against Port substitute Keija Nishikawa the main referee waved it away and allowed play to continue Williams was rightly pleased with his team's win I thought we were pretty good value for the win," he said missed a couple of sitters from five or six yards out Williams praised the chemistry of his squad View +4 PhotosPictures by Adam McLean"We built a good squad this year on a very limited budget," he said "We spent a lot of money last year on players that maybe were there for the money and the wrong reasons we've got great chemistry and they're doing the right thing Williams expects Shellharbour to improve even more once some key players return from injury "We are very happy with our position on the ladder because we've got a lot of injuries at the moment we've been playing with 11 to 12 players every week "It goes to show the very good character of our players we'll continue the form when we get the players back." Wollongong United jumped back to the top of the Illawarra Premier League after a gritty 1-0 win over Oak Flats Falcons at Keith Bond Oval on Saturday Samuel Matthews scored the winner in the 54th minute to secure a fifth straight victory for United United have now won six of their seven games and have 18 competition points after eight rounds In the only other match played on Saturday Albion Park White Eagles downed Bulli 3-1 at Balls Paddock Jayden Makowski scored two goals for the White Eagles on either side of Bulli's equaliser from Mason Elphick before Liam Wille added a third for the visitors in the 90th minute There is little time for Bulli to lick their wounds with an Australia Cup clash against NSW NPL high-flyers Marconi Stallions coming up on Tuesday night Friday's scheduled fixture between Cringila and Helensburgh Thistle and Saturday's games between Wollongong Olympic and Coniston FC and Tarrawanna and South Coast United were washed out and will be played later Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Love footy? We've got all the action covered. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Get the latest property and development news here. Find out what's happening in local business. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) One of a handful of homes perched on the headland of the Wollongong suburb, the as-new house commands spectacular ocean views and is poised to set an equally spectacular suburb record. “In terms of the price point, this is definitely something quite unusual for this area,” says agent Eric Leung, who confirms the current suburb record sits below $4 million. Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines. Owner Mario D’Angola fell in love with the location and views back in 2014, when he formed a vision for his future home. “It’s probably one of the only places where you get to see the lighthouse in Wollongong and you also have views towards Bass Point,” he says. As the co-founder of Azzurri Concrete, D’Angola says that “bringing concrete to life in a luxury home here was a dream of mine”. That dream turned into reality with help from the architects at Design Workshop Australia. “We worked together over 12 months to put together what was in my head and bring that to life,” he says. The Block’s Mitch and Mark sell luxury Sydney beachside escape days after cancelling auction Mornington Peninsula home ‘like an object flying in from space’ ‘It’s challenging’: Sydney house prices hit record high of $1.69m After living in the area for many years, D’Angola had a good understanding of what it takes to maintain a house near the ocean. “I knew if I chose certain materials like concrete, stone, aluminium cladding and glass, all these items would have minimal upkeep,” he says. “We were lucky to have a great team working on the build, which really shows in the quality of the finished home.” The full concrete structure is built to withstand all kinds of weather conditions and offers good thermal properties, making the home comfortable in all seasons. But D’Angola didn’t just want a practical home; he wanted “a luxury, resort-style home with a little bit of everything”, and there is certainly no shortage of amenities on offer. Park your car in the showroom garage where a turntable and a Tesla battery power easy driving. Relax in the spa or sauna, hit your wellness goals in the ice bath or take a dip in the mineral pool. There’s a bar and lounge at pool level for casual get-togethers, and a fabulous dining zone at entry level that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. With a glass ceiling, a built-in barbecue, space to seat a crowd and those breathtaking ocean views, this space, like the entire home, has the wow factor in spades. “This is one of the best properties that has ever come to the market on the South Coast. It’s a home that will put Port Kembla on the map,” says Leung. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate A volunteer crew on board Marine Rescue NSW vessel Port Kembla 31 responded to a call for assistance from a distressed vessel with one person on board just after 11am this morning Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said a motor cruiser reported it was taking on water and sinking approximately one nautical miles (2km) east of Five Islands.  “Volunteer Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Port Kembla’s Hill 60 base received a call from the skipper of vessel a few minutes after 11am this morning “The skipper advised the vessel was taking on water and sinking “A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Port Kembla were deployed on board Port Kembla 31 and located the skipper standing on the flybridge of his vessel “The vessel was almost completely under water “The skipper entered the water and swam towards PK 31 ‘”Volunteers on board PK 31 assisted the boater from the water and returned him to the base for an assessment by NSW Ambulance,” Inspector Massey said As the semi-submerged vessel is now a navigational hazard Radio Operators at Marine Rescue Port Kembla have issued several securites advising boaters in the region of the location of the vessel One of the largest real-time multi-agency search and rescue exercises (SAREX) to ever be held on the NSW coast has been labelled a success by Marine Rescue NSW A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Newcastle navigated darkness and a fast-flowing run-out tide overnight to rescue a stranded sailor four nautical miles (7.4 km) south of Nobbys Head Forgot your password? Wollongong City Council is seeking community feedback on a Planning Proposal request that would permit the operation of a café/restaurant at Port Kembla The Planning Proposal request is related to the site where the business 'Cakes by Rach' is currently operating The business remains open while this process is underway The Planning Proposal request seeks to retain the existing zoning (low-density residential) but amend planning controls to permit the operation of the café currently trading at the site It's the latest step in a process that dates back to September 2022 when the property owner and business proprietor were first advised that café operations were not a permissible use of the site under existing planning controls Council has held enforcement action in abeyance and allowed Cakes by Rach to continue to trade while the owner works through options to legitimise its operations at the site The Planning Proposal Request from the property owner to amend planning controls to include a café as a permissible use of the land was received by Council in late February and follows the refusal of a Development Application to gain consent to operate the site as a café in October 2024 A Planning Proposal is a different process to a development application A DA seeks consent to operate at a site under existing planning controls while a Planning Proposal seeks to amend planning controls related to a particular site. If at the conclusion of the Planning Proposal process a new development application seeking consent to operate will be required We're encouraging interested community members to provide feedback on the Planning Proposal request This community input will inform our initial assessment of the proposal Should Council resolve to progress the request it will be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure for their approval this would then be followed by a further round of formal public exhibition before any final decision is made A preliminary notification outlining the proposal is now open for feedback until 31 March. You can view the proposal and relevant supporting documents, and make a submission, via this community engagement page at Council’s website. Visit our News page to find out what's happening in your community, or sign up for e-news. We show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Dharawal Country, Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. You can also use the number above for after hours Council-related emergencies Email council@wollongong.nsw.gov.au Webchat Annie McLoughlin and Harrison Hall with performer Russell Webster Picture by Adam McLeanNow in its fourth year the highly-anticipated Port Kembla Festival is set to ignite the cultural spirit of Port Kembla with a vibrant mix of music Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAcross 10 venues and unique surprise spaces the event comes alive with a dynamic mix of indie rock showcasing Australia's most cutting-edge talent Attendees can explore the festival's diverse areas and immersive light and sound installations The 2025 line-up brings a spectacular selection of artists headlined by singer/songwriter Annie Hamilton and Q&As with Love on the Spectrum stars Other favourites include the World of Food Cost: Free to attend with RSVP portkemblafestival.com So Popera brings us the smash hit show that shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11 and the small Newfoundland community that invited these come from aways into their lives with open hearts theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendMembers of the public will be able to board and sit in some of the aircraft All exhibits are staffed by guides who can help you live the experience Step into the ring and unleash the thrill of circus magic Escape the week and embrace the weekend with Kick Back Fridays Reserve your spot today on one of our barrels or bring a picnic blanket and sit on the hill overlooking the vineyards theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendRunning in the Shadows is Australia's longest running tribute to this iconic band and continue to tour this country (and others) extensively playing in some of the best venues to capacity crowds and laughter in this thrilling improv show inspired by the popular game Werewolf theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendOur Play & Picnic Days offer a fun and educational outdoor experience for families and people of all ages with more opportunities to enjoy time on the farm than ever before Bringing the best of French cinema to Australia for 36 years The 2025 edition is almost here theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendEnjoy 20 games of bingo hosted by the fabulous Cathy & Wazza Dress to impress in your best 80s outfit for a chance to win the best-dressed prize plus a lucky door prize and raffle on the night Support Aimee Silla in the Stars Dance For Cancer campaign while having an unforgettable time theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendThis incredible group of musicians is dedicated to recreating the sound and energy of one of the most beloved bands of the 70s and 80s and they're taking on Status Quo's legendary album 12 Gold Bars theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendThe first installment of "Dog Days Raven Nights" at Ryan's Thirroul will feature the Illawarra launch for Raising Ravens new single "The Storm" out 4 With Jill Jackson and The Vermentinos and new friends theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendThese here are crazy times But Boom Crash Opera are one band you can rely upon.The producer of their debut album told them: "The most important thing a group can do is stay together Keep it together and you can do anything you want.Boom Crash Opera took those words to heart proudly becoming one of Australia's most-loved bands with 13 Top 50 singles and five Top 50 albums The incredible Steve Edmonds Band will take the stage and classic hits to keep you grooving all night long Our April show at The Builders Club is fully loaded with laughs and we don't think we are overstating it when we say that this is one of the best lineups the comedy world has ever seen Legendary act Peter Berner headlines our show with the hilarious Sam Bowden MC Sam Bowring and Jen Carnovale are support for this show who would normally top any bill they were on theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendFourteen artists are opening their home studios to showcase their art oils and acrylic painting to bushland art gallery and everything else in between from Helensburgh to Thirroul theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendCity Skate is coming back to the Wollongong CBD Inviting all skateboarding enthusiasts to join in another epic weekend with plenty of free action in the Wollongong CBD It's the perfect school holiday activity and there's plenty to get excited about including skate lessons There's plenty of free activities to get excited about including skate lessons* and demos with pro-riders George Richards and a comp prize pool of $2,000 cash and giveaways valued at $2,000 theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendTreat yourself and your daughter to an afternoon of relaxation and a long awaited reset after a busy term You will have the afternoon to swim in the luxurious pool connect through a variety of creative activities at your leisure take part in a professional photoshoot with your daughter ~ all whilst listening to live music theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendLooking for the perfect way to spend a Sunday with the family Join us at Five Barrel Brewing for a Family Fun Day filled with delicious food theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendThe ultimate day out for the family to learn about simple fun and sustainable practices and solutions to use in day-to-day life market stalls and information to help you learn how to live more sustainably at home and in our communities theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendThe show features a chronology of the greatest hits from the wonderful music of the Brothers Gibb Stayin' Alive and How Do You Mend A Broken Heart The Australian Bee Gees Show have captured the look the sound and the personality that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendSundays just got a whole lot better Yours & Owls Sundays has found a new home right on the beach at Pepe's On The Beach - Wollongong and they're turning up the heat every month with stacked lineups and epic vibes theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendWatch Illawarra legend Alexander Volkanovski take on Diego Lopes theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendNo excuses to stay home and fierce competition” with your favourite girls!Where: Illawarra Pinball Club Join Award Winning and ARIA Nominated artist Amber Lawrence for the best kids and family show in town these school holidays Dancing and Singing Along is the Name Of The Day theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendExpect a mesmerising live show as Rodrigo y Gabriela bring their renowned energy and captivating musicianship to audiences Mettavolution and selections from their most recent release Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see the duo live where each performance promises an unforgettable journey through their unique musical alchemy.Where: Anita's Theatre theatre and fun in the Illawarra this weekendA product of Dublin's famous club An Gilin Traditional Singers since launching his solo live career at Celtic Connections in 2016 Daoir Farrell has gone from strength to strength He can boast numerous honours from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and RTÉ Folk Award nominations with his music and live performances earning the acclaim of respected publications including MOJO and could be finalised by the end of this year Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueNSW Planning Minister Paul Scully will announce on April 10 that BlueScope's proposal to transform 200 hectares of land into a futuristic Google-style industrial campus will be assessed through a state rezoning pathway Dubbed world's largest land transformation, a masterplan for the land was unveiled in 2023 with BlueScope proposing a high-tech manufacturing hub that will house cutting-edge facilities for emerging technologies research and development plus community open space BlueScope says its plan could support up to 30,000 jobs the Wollongong CBD employs about 25,000 people "The Port Kembla Land Transformation Project is a game-changer for the region and the scale of this project is extraordinary," Mr Scully said Artist's impressions of the Port Kembla industrial site by Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels."It's the biggest land transformation in the world right now and possibly the most significant change to the region since steelmaking began nearly 100 years ago." Mr Scully, who is the chair of a working group supporting the land transformation said it would be considered as a State-Assessed Rezoning Proposal to expedite the planning assessment process An artist's impression of the site in future facing south west opposite the Port Kembla gas tanks 1 blast furnace can be seen in the upper right Picture supplied."The Minns Government is taking the next necessary steps to finalise the planning framework and its instruments in the second half of 2025 so there is land use certainty and this project can come to life," he said "The Illawarra-Shoalhaven region will see a population increase of more than 125,000 people over the next two decades and this project will provide the hi-tech jobs the region needs "This is an exciting time for the Illawarra and a major boost for Australia's hi-tech industry." Artist's impressions of the Port Kembla industrial site by Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels.The proposal will create public open space with opportunities for retail and entertainment precincts and recreation areas The exact shape of the project is yet to be determined, however it has already been compared to reactivating the Sydney CBD from Circular Quay to Central Station, and the transformation of the former BHP steelworks in Newcastle The company says community amenities may include walking and cycling paths and other open spaces spread throughout the complex BlueScope's Head of Property Development Michael Yiend said welcomed the announcement as a significant step towards unlocking the potential of the Port Kembla site "This process is key to realising the full benefits of this landmark project for both steelmaking and the Illawarra region," he said Artist's impressions of the Port Kembla industrial site by Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels."With much work still ahead we're committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the site reaches its full potential supporting the future of the steelworks and the ongoing economic growth of the Illawarra region." Part of plan supports the future decarbonisation of steelmaking in the Illawarra including the use of renewable energy infrastructure supported by domestic manufacturing Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2011, I'm an award-winning reporter who has helped the paper set the news agenda across our region for more than a decade. Picture by Robert PeetFilming continued today on the feature film Place to Be set to star veteran actress Ellyn Burstyn and Taika Waititi All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Kornel Mundruzco-directed film follows Burstyn's character as they travel from Chicago to New York to return a lost racing pigeon home Icon Pamela Anderson and White Lotus star and Emmy-winner Murray Bartlett were spotted at the film set with the pair playing the children of Brooke who are plotting to rehome their mother and draw upon their late father's inheritance The Mercury was able to confirm Waititi and Burstyn were in town for the shoot as well Picture by Robert PeetA business owner in Port Kembla said the production taking over the street was "really exciting" and was part of a "creative resurgence" happening in the suburb The Port Kembla business owner said it was a sign the area was "attracting bigger things" "It's pretty exciting to see Port Kembla showcased on a global scale," they said it will be cool to catch a glimpse of Port Kembla on the big screen Picture by Robert PeetThe business owner said their phone had been receiving "a lot of" messages from friends and family excited about the production Filming began at Disney Studios in Sydney in March and is being partially funded by Screen NSW through the Made In NSW program Businesses along Wentworth Street have been affected by the road closures which were approved by Wollongong council earlier this month Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, covering business and entertainment most of the time. Got a tip? Send it to me at joel.ehsman@austcommunitymedia.com.au. He/Him Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueA large water truck could be spotted providing simulated rain for a scene on Tuesday afternoon with the film using music venue The Servo as its set The film set will be in place until Thursday with the movie - described as a "poignant drama" - being directed by Hungarian Kornél Mundruczo Picture by Adam McLeanThe film stars veteran American actress Ellen Burstyn as Brooke and follows her unlikely friendship with a middle-aged man played by Waititi who recently had a career comeback in the movie The Last Showgirl Picture by Adam McLeanPlace to Be is set in the United States with Port Kembla stepping in as an as yet unknown American location The owner of Universal Supplements Port Kembla posted on Instagram to inform customers that parking might take a little bit longer due to the film crew's presence When asked if Anderson was in Port Kembla for the shoot Filming for Place to Be in Port Kembla. Picture by Adam McLeanIt's not the first time Port Kembla has become a film set in recent years with Stan series Exposure filming in the area in 2023 Aussie icon (and New Zealander) Russell Crowe's new film Crowe co-wrote that film which also stars Daniel MacPherson Luke Hemsworth and Amy Shark in her acting debut Picture by Marine Rescue NSWA volunteer rescuer has been rescued after his boat began sinking off Five Islands He called for help just after 11am on Sunday, March 23, and by the time Marine Rescue NSW crews arrived only the top cabin part of his boat was above the water line "The vessel was almost completely underwater," Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said "PK 31 [Port Kembla rescue boat] quickly arrived at the scene and located the skipper standing on the flybridge of his vessel." As soon as he saw rescue crews arrive near his boat the skipper jumped into the ocean and swam towards the Marine Rescue boat who is actually a volunteer with the rescue organisation that saved him was taken to shore for an assessment by paramedics View +2 PhotosInsp Massey said the semi-submerged vessel was now a navigational hazard and Marine Rescue radio operators have issued several securities advising boaters in the region of the location of the vessel The Mercury understands water police were called to the scene to organise the removal of the vessel. NSW Police has been contacted for comment. Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Picture by Adam McLeanA man allegedly tried to lure a primary school-aged child into his car in Port Kembla with the children who witnessed the incident offered counselling from their school "A male driving a car attempted to lure a student into his vehicle while the student was walking home from school," school principal Rebeka Schroder wrote in an alert letter to students' parents the following day Two other students witnessed this incident." None of the students were injured in the incident Lake Illawarra Police District officers were called and are now investigating were approached by a man not known to them on Cowper Street Picture by Robert PeetCounselling offered to studentsIn her alert to parents Ms Schroder said "student safety and wellbeing are the school's highest priorities" "Police have interviewed the three students and the school has offered counselling to each of them," she wrote. The intersection of Cowper and Parker streets in Port Kembla where a man allegedly tried to lure a 10-year-old child into a car on March 18. Picture by Adam McLeanA NSW Department of Education spokeswoman declined to provide information on the gender of students involved or their school year. "All teachers have reminded their class about how students can look to stay safe travelling to and from school," she said in a statement to the Mercury. "The school also provided parents with a link to a NSW Police resource to help them reinforce these messages with their children." Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe blaze erupted in an industrial area off Old Port Road and the risk of electrocution to fire crews was extreme "The substation was on fire and we couldn't do anything until the power was switched off or risk being electrocuted," Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Mick Adams said "We had another substation right next to it and an electrical switchroom "There's a lot of oils involved in making electricity It [the fire] would have been fed by oil in the fats in the substation and it becomes a very hot and volatile fire and it just gets bigger and bigger View +4 Photos"When you're dealing with large amounts of electricity anything can happen As firefighters battled to protect surrounding infrastructure from the intense heat, staff from PPK Mining, located where the substation is, and Endeavour Energy crews rushed to help. "I've got to praise the on-site staff and Endeavour Energy. They were able to switch off the power and we were able to get to it [the fire] quickly," station officer Adams said. "I've been doing this for 26 years, and it's [their response] as good as it gets." Endeavour Energy's Peter Payne said the high voltage substation is on BlueScope land and feeds the steelmaker's power needs. "We were called to isolate supply into their factory to make it safe for the firies," he said. It took 12 firefighters in three fire trucks just under two hours to get the fire under control. "We had to use a really thick foam to extinguish it, it was under control within one hour and 45 minutes," station officer Adam said. While the cause of the fire is unknown, it is not being treated as suspicious. "Dust can build up on them when there hasn't been rain in a while," station officer Adams said. Picture by Robert PeetIn its first two months of operation a new red-light speed camera at Port Kembla raked in almost three-quarters of a million dollars The other is at the Shellharbour Road and George Street intersection in Warilla which was only switched on just before Christmas The Port Kembla camera was installed because of the site's crash history there were seven crashes at the intersection resulting in three people seriously injured Transport for NSW had placed it in the top 10 highest-risk intersections in NSW outside of Greater Sydney The camera was switched on in late September but operated in warning mode for a month and began sending out fines from late October 3421 fines were sent out totalling $738,381 Speeding offences accounted for the bulk of the revenue - bringing in $668,205 from 3320 fines There has been an identified issue with speeding along this stretch - in 2019 Transport for NSW extended the 60km/h zone to include the intersection Prior to that the speed limit was 80km/h in both directions Transport for NSW said it was common for fine levels to be high when a new camera was switched on and then fall quickly as motorists get used to its presence There was an expectation that the number of fines would decrease over time "Any speeding or red-light offence on the NSW road network is a concern and camera enforcement is one of the most effective evidence-based measures to reduce these offences," a Transport for NSW spokesperson said "Red-light speed cameras dramatically reduce the number of serious crashes on our roads "The most recent NSW speed camera review found fatal and serious injury crashes fell by 38 per cent at red-light speed camera locations and pedestrian casualties fell by 66 per cent." I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. Picture by Sylvia Liber With an "unhinged" president in the White House it's time for Port Kembla to be ruled out as a home for nuclear submarines according to the South Coast Labour Council Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAustralia is purchasing nuclear subs from the United States under the AUKUS partnership between Australia Australia requires an east coast submarine base to complement the one in Western Australia That has raised concerns in the Illawarra that Port Kembla could be chosen with several protest groups calling on the federal government to rule it out South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris said there is a more pressing need to reach a decision on Port Kembla "Someone who is threatening to take Canada as its next state who wants to take Greenland by force - and that's just from his friends let alone Panama and other places - is not going to think twice about imposing his will on foreign governments like Australia," Mr Rorris said "We are dealing with an unhinged leader of the so-called free world and we need to take special measures and make it very clear that our ports are not for sale they're not to be used as staging posts for Trump's military campaigns." He called on the federal government to give "an immediate indication" it would rule out Port Kembla as an AUKUS base now and into the future "If you give a military base to the Americans here and we don't want Trump to be given the keys to our city," he said "What our government needs to ensure is that we send a very strong signal to Trump that we're not Canada and Port Kembla is a civilian port for our purposes not for Trump's international military conquests." Picture by Greg TotmanMore than $18 million will be spent cleaning up heavy metal contamination in Port Kembla homes after the NSW Environment Protection Authority accepted an agreement from the former smelter's owner The money will come from the sale of the site where the smelter used to be and will be spent on decontaminating about 300 homes nearby PKC had previously pledged to spend money from the proceeds of the sale on the cleanup which will largely concern heavy metals which were released from the smelter's exhaust stack and settled in nearby properties have been found in many homes' roof spaces or gardens The EPA said the homes affected were mostly within 800m of the former smelter site and the cleanup work would take three years It said the $18 million reflected the "extent and potential impacts" of the contamination but also said it "currently poses a low risk to the community" EPA director of operations Adam GIlligan said this was the largest enforceable undertaking arrangement ever reached by the EPA "Port Kembla has a long industrial heritage and the presence of lead and other heavy metals from historical sources - including the former smelter and refinery - is well-documented," Mr Gilligan said "The $18.116 million financial assurance negotiated with PKC reflects the extent and potential impacts of the contamination and the importance of delivering a solution that prioritises the ongoing health and wellbeing of the local community "PKC voluntarily proposed the Enforceable Undertaking and has committed to responsibly addressing the smelter's historic environmental impact as its most recent owner and operator." The site was sold in January to a Sydney property developer. The smelter land will change hands early next year but the EPA said the decontamination program would continue for three years. The new owners will be a company called Port Kembla Group Pty Ltd (PKG), a Sydney property developer. Comments from PKG director John Chen and former Port Kembla Copper general manager Ian Wilson when the site was sold spoke of industrial or commercial, but did not mention residential, uses. PKG's director John Chen said it was "an amazing opportunity to revitalise the site". The site is going through an extensive exercise of place making to determine the future composition to enhance local community offerings and employment while enhancing the sustainable and economic robustness of the region. Lead by Birch Place and designed by Place Studio, the resulting precinct will service the growing infrastructure and supply needs of a growing community." The site was home to copper smelting for almost 100 years. The 98m stack was demolished in 2014. File pictureA teenager has been airlifted to hospital with head injuries after he crashed while riding a bicycle at Port Kembla All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueParamedics and a rescue helicopter were called to Cowper Street after receiving a triple-0 call about the accident we treated them for a head injury," a NSW Ambulance spokesman said The teenage boy was then airlifted to St George Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition He is the second person to be airlifted to hospital with head injuries after a bike crash so far this month On January 12, a 28-year-old man crashed while riding an e-bike at Lake Heights. He fell hard and was left with serious head injuries and was airlifted to St George Hospital in a critical condition. Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Get the latest property and development news here Find out what's happening in local business tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords Marine Rescue Port Kembla has enhanced its search and rescue capability not only across Wollongong and Shellharbour but across the Illawarra Shoalhaven with the addition of two rescue watercraft (RWC) (jet skis) to the unit’s fleet Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said the two RWCs are now operational and ready to be deployed to assist people on local waters in time for the summer holidays “These rescue watercraft are certainly going to enhance our operational capability on Lake Illawarra as well as for offshore rescues “Lake Illawarra gets a lot of traffic; recreational vessels are going to break down at various times “These are rapid-response craft; they are very quick and they can also get into areas that our normal rescue craft can’t access Inspector Massey said the two RWCs are trailerable meaning they can be transported across the region when tasked “Marine Rescue NSW will be able to deploy them to areas up and down the coast that might require their use particularly for offshore search and rescue,” he said Image: (L to R) Marine Rescue Port Kembla rescue watercraft operators Stuart Ward “The training for rescue watercraft is comprehensive and a certain level of fitness is required because of the nature of the craft and the operating environment,” Inspector Massey said “We currently have four qualified Marine Rescue NSW RWC operators at the Port Kembla unit with four more progressing through the training programme Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said Marine Rescue NSW volunteers were tasked by NSW Police Marine Area Command late last night “Marine Rescue NSW vessel Port Kembla 31 and Shellharbour 30 were deployed to assist NSW Water Police with the search at Five Island “Marine Rescue NSW crews began the search at 8:31pm after an unmanned vessel was spotted near Windang and searched for 3 hours “Conditions were challenging at night and so the crews will resume the search this morning (8am) “Volunteers on board Vessels Port Kembla 31 and Shellharbour 30 with Port Kembla RWCs (jet skis) will do a search from Flagstaff Point to Bass Point and return to their bases later today,” said Inspector Massey Picture by Robert PeetEighteen months down All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBlueScope is now halfway through the $1.15 billion reline of blast furnace no. 6 at the Port Kembla Steelworks which will secure steel production in the Illawarra for up to 20 years Project director Justin Reed said this signified the end of the removal phase of the works which involved removing equipment for refurbishment and replacement New equipment is now starting to arrive on-site for installation "So we are currently seeing a lot of the new parts coming into our stores and we're starting to prepare for the installation of these new pieces with our local contractors," Mr Reed said workers were in the blast furnace - which had had a piece sliced from its side by a high-pressure waterjet cutter to allow access - installing platforms for work to take place inside Picture by Robert PeetThe complex reline project is overseen by a team of about 160 people who are responsible for engineering About 250 people currently carry out the work on-site and BlueScope is collaborating with 11 local contractors to complete the project We're able to take our time and reline across a three-year time span and it enables us to actually really engage with our local contractors to do as much work as we possibly can locally," Mr Reed said the project has required the input of some technical expertise from overseas with certain components designed in Europe Picture by Robert Peet"But predominantly the workers A first for the blast furnaces of Port Kembla Steelworks is the installation of a waste gas heat recovery system which will reduce the amount of fuels needed for the process explained that system would allow for the capture of energy from flue gas emitted during the combustion process "So we can recover that energy back into our fuel gases through two heat exchanges and that allows us to optimise our combustion process and make it as efficient as possible and also reduce the fuel gases that we would otherwise need to add in," Ms Tran said Picture by Robert PeetThe project will also include the integration of a top gas recovery turbine (TRT) a system that is mostly used to control the pressure within the blast furnace but has the added benefit of producing energy from captured gas 6 did not when it was previously in operation Lead engineer Luke Mayer said the TRT was one of the reline project's carbon abatement initiatives offsets some of the electricity that we require to operate other areas of the plant," Mr Mayer said "So roughly this machine will be able to generate 12 to 13 megawatts during normal operating conditions here at no The view of the Port Kembla Steelworks from the top of no Picture by Robert Peet"So that roughly equates to a little greater than 15,000 homes." No. 6 blast furnace has sat dormant since 2011 but needs to be brought back into operation to produce iron for steel-making with the impending end of life for blast furnace no. 5 "We'd like to get 20 years out of the blast furnace but as you get closer to the end of the campaign 6 blast furnace ready for operation in 2026," Mr Reed said Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. An important site on Dharawal Country is Hill 60 We’ve now finished work on the new viewing platform a project aimed to celebrate the site’s significant heritage values while making improvements that would make the space more enjoyable with its great views of the Five Islands and Port Kembla Harbour was the area of focus for the first stage of works A key part of the project is the new interpretative signage and artwork that celebrates the rich history of the site Image: 'Hill 60 Dreaming' artwork by Uncle Steven Russell Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said Council was grateful to work with local Aboriginal artist Uncle Steven Russell on his artwork titled ‘Hill 60 Dreaming’ which is incorporated into the pavement and tells the story of the community and Five Islands “The artwork and interpretative signage which was done in consultation with the local Aboriginal community celebrates the heritage of Hill 60 and shares some details of their connections and stories to this important site,” Cr Brown said I encourage you to reflect on the layered histories of defence community and resilience that define Hill 60.” Uncle Steven is a Bidigal man of Dharawal Nation He is the son of acclaimed artist Esme Timbery and his grandfather Hubert Timbery was born under the fig tree in Figtree His artwork drew on inspiration from his relationship to the Country and around Botany Bay Uncle Steven said his artwork is bringing something satisfying to the community “It’s for the community and it’s not just about me and my family but it’s about the community of who we are on the east coast of New South Wales,” he said Watch the video below to hear more about the artwork As part of the project, stories told by Aboriginal Traditional Owners, custodians and knowledge holders connected to Hill 60 have been compiled and is available on the Illawarra Stories website The interpretative signage onsite provides a QR code for visitors to scan that refers them to the website there has been a considerable amount of work to develop the Hill 60 Landscape Master Plan for this location “Hill 60 and surrounding area is an important site for the Aboriginal community and we have been working closely with representatives from the community for some time on this project and look forward to continuing this relationship into the future,” she said Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said that this first stage of works was made possible thanks to a grant from the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund “Hill 60 is already a popular destination for residents and visitors We hope that this upgrade will improve accessibility and provide better viewing areas for people visiting the site,” Mr Doyle said with layers of shared history that was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in 2001 we want to ensure that the site retains its cultural values and history and that’s why we’ve involved the community every step of the way.” Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said she was proud that the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund had contributed $500,000 to a project that successfully celebrates Hill 60’s significant cultural heritage while making it more accessible for residents and visitors alike “It is wonderful that even more people will be able to enjoy the spectacular views from Hill 60 now that this work on the new viewing platform has been completed,” Ms Moriarty said Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park welcomed the investment in the region and very significant part of our community in the Illawarra “It’s a go to for the locals and tourists alike when you’re in Wollongong and these upgrades makes it an even more attractive location to visit.” Mr Park said Member for Wollongong and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces The Hon “The NSW Government was pleased to support this upgrade through a grant from the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund “This investment will not only improve the amenity of Hill 60 for local residents but it will encourage people to visit Port Kembla and explore what other things the area has to offer in terms of attractions retail and hospitality helping to generate economic activity and support jobs.” This marks the completion of Stage 1A Works Work on the Hill 60 Landscape Master Plan will continue with Council working on the next stage which is focused on improvements to the existing car park adjacent to the Tunnels The cultural significance of Hill 60 will continue to be recognised throughout the rollout of the Hill 60 Master Plan For more information on this long-term project This project is funded by the NSW Government through the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund the site which has been sold to a property developer Real CommercialThe former site of Port Kembla's famous 198-metre stack has been sold to property developers who will take over the land next year Read about the residents who want their homes tested. PKC announced an Australian corporate entity called Port Kembla Group Pty Ltd has bought the site with the sale due to be complete in early 2026 the company was registered in October 2024 to an address in Burwood with the listed directors both born in China PKG director John Chen said "placemaking" work was underway to ensure the future of the site - one of the largest development sites in Port Kembla - enhanced the suburb's community and employment opportunities "The Port Kembla Copper Site represents an amazing opportunity to revitalise and enhance a strategic location on NSW's coastal logistic infrastructure," he said "An experienced team has been engaged to provide a once-in-a-decade opportunity to revitalise the former copper site which is being planned by Sydney-based planning and architectural firms would service the growing infrastructure and supply needs of a growing community The site which was up for sale. Picture from Real CommercialRemoving heavy metals from homes continuesThe sale means 300 homes are set to be rehabilitated to remove toxic heavy metals from their roofs and garden soil Environmental inspections have recently shown what many residents had complained about since the 1990s - that soil roof dust and indoor dust at some homes has been contaminated by historical smelter emissions The main contaminant is lead and the multimillion-dollar rehabilitation effort will begin after the old smelter site is sold and it was then closed in July 2003 after attempts to return it to full operation failed The almost 200m-tall copper smelter stack was demolished on February 20 with thousands gathering to watch history being made PKC executive advisor Ian Wilson said the sale presented "an excellent outcome for the local community given it opens up opportunities for commercial and or industrial redevelopment and employment at the site" "While PKC operated the smelter for only three of a total of approximately 100 years operation it has decided to carry out investigation and remediation of contamination at the site and surrounding residential areas on a voluntary basis," he said "Our extensive work has made the site suitable for future commercial or industrial uses and we are pleased we were able to find an appropriate purchaser in a timely manner." Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe suburb was home on Saturday live entertainment and market stalls with unique and locally made goods Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce secretary and event organiser Kelly Lorimer said the event built on the success of the Halloween event Fearfest with the same goal of bringing the community together while bringing foot traffic and economic activity to local businesses Picture by Robert Peet"Businesses up and down the street welcomed the surge of visitors many of whom remarked on the festive atmosphere and the strong sense of community," Ms Lorimer said The festival was not simply a one-day event but part of the transformation of Port Kembla into an events destination "By regularly hosting events for holidays like Christmas Port Kembla is creating a reputation as a vibrant thriving hub for creativity and culture," Ms Lorimer said She said Cheerfest had only fuelled the vision to keep Port Kembla alive with activity all year round noting that the suburb played host to other events "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Cheerfest possible - the businesses that opened their doors and every attendee who brought the event to life," Ms Lorimer said Continue scrolling for more photos from Cheerfest the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said Phosphine is a colourless flammable gas which is used to kill insects The Port Kembla release was caused when an operator connected the wrong gas line to the grain fumigation monitoring equipment both the monitoring and control system failed allowing the emission of the gas at levels above the licence limit," it said The EPA has not yet revealed how much of the gas was released but it did say "air modelling" by Graincorp "indicated there were no actual environmental or public health risks" Phosphine is toxic when breathed in at concentrations of 1 per per million or 0.3 perts per million averaged over a work day The Mercury has sought information on how much phosphine was released from the EPA This report will be updated when the information in received Information on phosphine from WorkSafe Queensland shows how dangerous phosphine can be - depending on the dose "Exposure to high levels of phosphine gas can cause damage to the kidneys as well as pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) convulsions and death," its website states National workplace standards allow only one part per mission of phosphine to be present at any time. NSW EPA acting executive director of operations Adam Gilligan said it was "disappointing" GrainCorp had failed to operate control systems properly. "Phosphine gas is dangerous and must be managed carefully," Mr Gilligan said. "It is critical that systems are in place to properly control emissions and protect the community and the environment." A statement from the EPA described GrainCorp's actions after the release. "Following the incident, GrainCorp conducted an investigation including air modelling," the EPA said. "Their modelling indicated there were no actual environmental or public health risks. "GrainCorp notified the EPA immediately upon becoming aware of the incident and are implementing a range of corrective actions and additional engineering controls to prevent future similar incidents." where BlueScope will build an Electric Smelting Furnace pilot Picture supplied by BlueScopeUpdated 16:36 Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBlueScope will build a low-emissions ironmaking furnace not in Port Kembla but at Kwinana in Western Australia Announcing its biggest step towards low-carbon steelmaking, BlueScope said it would be given $75 million from the Western Australian Government to build the pilot plant south of Perth. The "Neosmelt" pilot will be a joint venture between BlueScope and iron ore miners BHP and Rio Tinto, with Woodside Energy also announced to be coming on board as a full partner. The plant will produce iron for steelmaking without the use of traditional - high emission - blast furnaces. BlueScope CEO for Australia Tania Archibald called the move a "significant milestone" and "transformative project to help decarbonise the steel industry". BlueScope said "a number" of locations were assessed before the Kwinana Industrial Area was selected. In an email to staff Ms Archibald said Port Kembla had been its preference, but BlueScope's WA-based partners wanted it in Kwinana, plus there was "the significant state support package from the West Australian Government". "While BlueScope's default position and preference was for the pilot to be located at the Port Kembla steelworks, the project is too large for BlueScope to fund standalone," Ms Archibald said. "We need the support of our partners and we recognise their strong strategic desire to have the project based in WA given the proximity to the Pilbara and the imperative to 'crack the code' on the Pilbara ores which is critical to the future of their businesses." South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris said future green steel plants needed to be built in the Illawarra region, which has given much to support BlueScope. "We don't know whether these are just pilots or whether their intention is to base their future plant in that same location in Western Australia," he said. "Our community would have a strong expectation - and a claim - that the investment over more than 100 years, not just financial but quite literally in blood sweat and tears, that loyalty should be rewarded. "I don't think that after everything that our region has been through to accommodate BlueScope Steel, that this is the best way to repay our community. "If it's true that the Western Australian Government has pursued BSL with financial incentives then the NSW Government and federal Government needs to come clean as to what efforts it has put in to retain BlueScope's future plants in this region, as out community expects it to." In her email Ms Archibald said for a future commercial plant to be located in NSW, certain needs would have to be worked through. "To be clear, the location of the R&D pilot plant does not preclude Port Kembla from being the future location of a full-scale commercial facility," she said. "However, to enable such a commercial scale plant, it will need access to affordable gas (and ultimately green hydrogen), the electricity infrastructure required to deliver firmed, affordable and renewable energy, as well as supportive public policy from the NSW and federal governments." NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully, the Member for Wollongong, said this was "a commercial decision". "The NSW Government offered strong support to the NeoSmelt partners - Bluescope Steel, BHP and Rio Tinto - to select Port Kembla for its pilot plant," Mr Scully said. "As the NeoSmelt partners have indicated in their statement today, they made assessments of a number of pilot plant locations in Australia before selecting the Kwinana Industrial Area. "The NeoSmelt partners have made a commercial decision. "The NSW Government remains committed to steel making in NSW and will continue to work with BlueScope as it develops low-carbon steel making processes at Port Kembla." WA Premier Roger Cook said he had secured jobs in steel production for his state. "Under my WA Labor Government, our State is becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse - creating the jobs of the future and setting up our economy for the long term," Mr Cook said. "Securing NeoSmelt for Kwinana positions WA at the cutting edge of the global push to slash emissions from steel production - and means our Pilbara iron ore will be processed right here in WA. "Putting the global steel industry on the pathway to zero emissions means more jobs in processing in WA, and a strong future for WA's iron ore industry." After feasibility studies a final investment decision is expected in 2026 with operations to begin in 2028. This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive PORT Kembla Copper has sold its former smelter to a property developer The Port Kembla Group (PKG) has acquired the site at Military Road Port Kembla in a staged settlement due to be completed in early 2026 PKG’s director John Chen said the site represents an amazing opportunity to revitalise and enhance a strategic location on NSW’s coastal logistic infrastructure “The site is going through an extensive exercise of place making to determine the future composition to enhance local community offerings and employment while enhancing the sustainable and economic robustness of the region “An experienced team has been engaged to provide a once in a decade opportunity to revitalise the former copper site Lead by Birch Place and designed by Place Studio the resulting precinct will service the growing infrastructure and supply needs of a growing community,” he added the site is one of Port Kembla’s largest industrial development sites and the sale follows 20 years of investigation which operated the smelter from 2000 to 2003 before it was put on the market in August last year Its closure ended nearly 100 years of copper smelting activity and the sale ends a 28-year association of PKC with the property PKC executive advisor Ian Wilson said that the sale of the site presented “an excellent outcome for the local community given it opens up opportunities for commercial and or industrial redevelopment and employment at the site” “While PKC operated the smelter for only three of a total of approximately 100 years operation it has decided to carry out investigation and remediation of contamination at the site and surrounding residential areas on a voluntary basis “Our extensive work has made the site suitable for future commercial or industrial uses and we are pleased we were able to find an appropriate purchaser in a timely manner,” he added Wilson said proceeds from the sale will also help fund PKC’s ongoing off-site investigation and remediation program in residential areas of Port Kembla which may have been contaminated from historical smelter operations Green Street’s global news publications are not provided as an investment advisor nor in the capacity of a fiduciary  Our global organization maintains information barriers to ensure the independence of and distinction between our non-regulated and regulated businesses is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 482269) and a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 06471304 Picture by Adam McLeanThe jobs of 30 locals are at risk by Wollongong council's "agenda" to close down a Port Kembla cafe All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Military Road site where Cakes by Rach Cafe is located has been serving up food since 1965 but Wollongong City Council claims it doesn't have the correct land zoning to do so pays commercial rates for the site and has accused council of unfairly targeting cafe owner Rachel Weekes we're not sure why Rachel is being targeted," he said "She's created a commercial hub that has put Port Kembla on the map." Council issued a shut down order on the cafe in February this year but later advised Ms Weekes to lodge a development application to try and legitimise her business Rachel Weekes on the front deck of her Port Kembla business Picture by Adam McLean"We've also provided them with avenues to say 'here's a way that you can get this across the line'," she said council planning officials told her not to bother submitting a planning proposal - at a cost of $25,000 to her - to try to keep her business open "They said they didn't think that there was any point in progressing any further because they don't believe anything that we did at that point would be assessed favourably because we aren't in a strategic position in Port Kembla and we haven't been endorsed as a strategic part by anyone," she said She's definitely getting picked on .. we're not sure why Rachel is being targeted The busy cafe might be in a residential area away from the commercial heart of the suburb but Ms Weekes said it is in a strategic location across the road from a sportsground and playground metres from the beach and near two schools The site opened as a general store in 1965 then became a convenience store-come-take-away shop and amusement arcade before Cafe La Playa Spanish restaurant began trading in 2008 and only closed during the COVID pandemic Ms Weekes said 'existing use rights' apply due to the site's long history of serving food and drinks She claims her lawyer told council this in September 2022 when the cafe opened and after not getting a response for 12 months that council had advised Ms Weekes and Mr Manevski they did not have consent to operate the site as a cafe "The business chose to commence trade contrary to this advice," the spokesman said. He said council only discovered the zoning irregularity when it received a complaint from the public as the cafe opened. "On investigation it was revealed that the operation of food and drink premises was prohibited in the residential R2 zone," he said. Council said it has since received other complaints, but declined to reveal how many, about zoning, parking and food safety issues. In a letter sent to council general manager Greg Doyle on October 4, that the Mercury has been provided, Ms Weekes and Mr Manevski accuse council of contradictory advice, and wanting to remove reference to 'existing use rights' as it would "hinder council's ability to close the cafe". In Mr Doyle's emailed response to Ms Weekes, also provided to the Mercury, he said her "letter contains a number of issues and matters requiring further review" and that council's customer and business integrity manager, Todd Hopwood, would investigate. In the meantime, the council spokesman said council is yet to reinstate a development control order for the business to cease, but would do so soon. "Council has offered an extended timeframe for compliance to allow them to trade through the summer period," he said. Ms Weekes employees 30 people at her cafe, many of them locals, and she's urging her customers and supporters to appeal to council to allow the business to stay open. She has previously provided council with an 8000-signature petition to keep the open, which she said council ignored. The actions of an observant Marine Rescue Port Kembla Watch Officer has led to a male kayaker being saved off Port Kembla this evening (Thursday 21 November) Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Stuart Massey said volunteer Watch Officer Phillip Turner was on duty at Marine Rescue Port Kembla’s Hill 60 radio tower when he noticed an upturned kayak on waters off Big Island which is part of Wollongong’s Five Islands “Phillip made the sighting at 5.15pm before NSW Police Marine Area Command was informed “A second person was also spotted paddling in the area “A multi-agency response was initiated with a Marine Rescue Port Kembla crew mustered and set to be deployed on recuse vessel Port Kembla 31 when Wollongong City Council lifeguards from Port Kembla Beach used a jet ski and rescued the paddler from Martin Islet and returned him to shore “The other man who was kayaking in the area was also assisted back to Port Kembla beach,” he said Inspector Massey said conditions off Wollongong were windy this evening and not suitable for non-powered watercraft offshore “Without the keen observation of Marine Rescue Port Kembla Watch Officer Phillip Turner (pictured above) and the response from council lifeguards the outcome could been different,” Inspector Massey said Marine Rescue NSW encourages all paddlers and boaters to Log On and Off with Marine Rescue NSW either via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF channel 16 “Logging On ensures Marine Rescue NSW volunteers keep watch for their safe return and in the event they go overdue a search is initiated Logging On saves precious time during an emergency The paddler this afternoon was not Logged On,” Inspector Massey said The festival of light and sound will return with a showcase of over 30 artists, set to the backdrop of outdoor gardens, vintage motorcycle stores and scenic Wollongong sites. Port Kembla Festival (Photo by Chris Frape) More Annie Hamilton The fourth annual edition of the Port Kembla Festival is set to take place on April 12th this year ringing in the cultural spirit of Port Kembla with a mix of music Harvey M and Milo Eastwood set to headline the festival and pop-up showcases of food and art to quench your hunger (and creative inspirations) it’s clear why thousands of visitors flock to the site every year The free festival is a must-see for attendees near and far from the Wollongong site 10 venues and unique surprise spaces across Port Kembla have transformed into live indie rock showcasing some of the best in Australia’s genre-blending pop-up shows and immersive light and sound installations attendees can catch acts like singer-songwriter Annie Hamilton punk powerhouse Press Club and names like Barely Passable the festival has added three more stages to accommodate for the growing capacity of the festival including a Low Sensory Stage at The Panthaway which caters to neurodivergent and introverted guests by offering gentle live music entertainment and food installations will be helmed by NASA Gallery & Studios Originally founded by boutique event production and booking agency Holy Pavlova the festival was created to offer a “true gig-crawl and exploratory experience” of Port Kembla’s many unique and vibrant spaces filling the street with an eclectic mix of live music "Port Kembla Festival is about discovering incredible spaces and culture,” founder of Holy Pavlova Harrison Hall said and unexpected moments that make the festival so special Port Kembla Festival is happening on April 12th, 2025 from 2PM along Wentworth Street, Port Kembla. Free entry via RSVP is available here. Check out the full lineup and venues featured below. Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter Annie Hamilton, Harvey M, Milo Eastwood, Press Club Anna B, Barely Passable, Clint (FR), Dyllan Floyd, e4444e, Fig, Freyja Garbett, Grinding Eyes, Groove Sister, Jess Locke, Jimmy BYO, Julia Why?, Lahgo, Latino Sabor, Los Echo, Luja Murfi, Mash, Moody Gurlz, Nick Calligeros, Pulse, Russel W, Sako Dermenjian, Sinner G, Sooky La La’s, Soul Flamenco, Summer Guppys, Sultans of Spin, The 515 DJ’s, Where’s Warry Military Lane, The Servo, The Iron Yampi, Future Artifacts, The Bank Space, The Shave Cave, The Wentworth, NASA Gallery & Studios, Number 99, The Panthaway, Port Beirut, Black Metal Motor Co, Red Point Arts Studio after Wollongong City Council decided it needed to close Picture by Adam McLeanA Port Kembla cafe owner is fighting the Wollongong City Council decision forcing it to close its doors in a few months All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueRachel Weekes runs Cakes by Rach at the Military Road cafe on a site that has seen various other establishments serving food since 1965 In February, the council ordered the cafe to close as it was located in a residential R2 zone where such activities were prohibited and a new development control order was issued stating that the cafe had to close by the end of February Ms Weeks lodged a development application to allow the cafe to continue operating which was rejected in September because the council deemed the "existing uses" section of the planning legislation could not be used to override the zoning issue Ms Weekes has lodged a review of the knockback which the council will decide on by mid-March "It's incredibly stressful," Ms Weekes said of the experience We've got no idea what to expect at the other side of that We've had to pay for submissions of applications and the planning proposal itself would be another one of those As well as the review of the development application she was also looking to submit a planning proposal to the council and said the council was conducting "an independent review of the whole situation" "The general manager will take a look at that and decide whether or not there is something else that maybe could be done or changed," Ms Weeks said "Essentially he just wants to see all of the detail." Ms Weeks said she felt confident the result of all the work and stress will be that the cafe can remain open "We're a single property and we've actually been operating for two years," she said "So it's not a matter of trying to understand the impact of the business on the community or the environment because that's very clear already "We've had no issues with any of that over the last two years "So I'd be fairly confident the outcome of a planning proposal would be would be a positive one "I just need to be allowed to continue to trade while that process is worked through." A statement from Wollongong City Council suggested the February close is still very much on the cards "The cafe operator and landlord have been advised in writing that council will not enforce the development control order to stop the use of the premises as a restaurant or cafe until the end of February 2025," the council spokesperson said "The operator of the cafe must comply with the development control order from March 1 The spokesperson confirmed an independent review is underway "A separate review in response to specific complaints from the proprietor "Council will advise the proprietor when this has been completed." The Port Authority of New South Wales (NSW) has developed a brand-new pilot ladder training facility in Port Kembla The new solution allows maritime professionals and trainees to safely practice scaling ladders on the side of a moving ship The port authority partnered with Avcon Projects to design the custom-built onshore pilot ladder training facility which includes a full nine-metre length ladder suspended over shipping containers and a step-off platform to simulate the challenging task of scaling a ladder to board a commercial vessel at sea said: “The safety of our marine operations team is our highest priority and by investing in this training facility we are ensuring our teams and stakeholders are given the tools to facilitate safe vessel transfers “This facility not only puts Port Authority at the forefront of operational excellence but also delivers a major cost saving by minimising the need to attend external training facilities.” READ: Port Authority of NSW selects Blue Visby Consortium Harbour Master of Port Kembla and South Coast added: “The facility will be used not only for pilots vessel traffic services operators and pilot boat crews but also those who require ladder training and familiarisation before they are permitted to undertake a transfer onto or off a vessel “The new ladder training facility will improve the skill in our teams ensuring safer and more efficient transfers.” Last month, the Port Authority NSW installed its first major rooftop solar panel system at Newcastle Port Centre In the same week, a recent report from Ports Australia highlighted the crucial economic role ports play in NSW and the entire nation Join the Maritime Safety Series: Port Edition, a new virtual event from Port Technology International and ICHCA, focused on improving port safety through discussion and innovation. DP World is set to implement OneStop Modal and the OneStop Vehicle Booking System (VBS) DP World, in partnership with Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), has announced the completion of major The US House of Representatives has voted to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) 2023 In March 2025, global schedule reliability surged to 57.5 per cent, the highest level recorded Container throughput at the Port of Melbourne totalled 267,000 TEUs in March 2025, reflecting a Cover image: ©Associated Press The death toll has risen to at least 70, with more a brand new community health centre is set to be up and running The company has built many health, education and civic project, and locally was involved with the Shellharbour Workers Club food precinct Health Minister Ryan Park said the awarding of a tender was a significant milestone "It is terrific to see this project moving to the next phase bringing the community one step closer to receiving important community-based health services within a new The Warrawong project is about six months behind the government's planned timeline for the centre which was originally due to begin construction in mid-2024 Artist's impression of inside the new centre Picture suppliedThe centre is part of the state's $780 million Shellharbour Hospital project which also included upgrades to Wollongong and Bulli hospitals The Warrawong centre will have similar services to Port Kembla Hospital including child and family health services the Binji and Boori Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service and community nursing There will also be community mental health services drug and alcohol services and an equipment loan pool next steps involve finalising the design of the new centre before construction begins in the coming months Wollongong MP Paul Scully said he had been advocating for the health centre for a long time "The new Warrawong Community Health Centre will provide essential community-based health services such as community nursing child and family health and mental health support," he said "[It] will also help drive many job opportunities for the Illawarra region." Port Kembla Hospital provided care to almost 8000 patients a year about five years ago It had long been the major palliative care and rehabilitation hub for the district but those services have now moved to Bulli and Port Kembla has been slowly decommissioned The new health centre is one of many big changes planned for Warrawong which is also getting a new community centre and library from Wollongong City Council There are also plans to overhaul a huge portion of public land at Kully Bay which the government has dubbed Warrawong Parklands There are also plans to rezone certain areas in the town - like above Warrawong Plaza - for hundreds of new homes William Henry and Aunty Dawn Bell look at plans for the refurbishment of the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation's new premises Picture by Robert PeetThe former Port Kembla Leagues Club will become a one-stop shop for services under the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation's (IAC) plans to transform the site Architectural firm BHI Architects has taken the IAC board through the plans to transform the organisation's new headquarters into a hub where members of the Aboriginal community can access everything from healthcare to housing services under one roof The centre will house the IAC's existing supports It will also include services such as a GP clinic and the Aboriginal Legal Service with the IAC working with a range of other government and non-government agencies to integrate their offerings into the building The centre will be named the Aunty Dolly Henry and Mr Fred Moore Aboriginal Services Hub community advocate and founding member of the IAC and the unionist who was a staunch supporter of Aboriginal rights The ground floor will house the various services and office spaces while IAC corporate offices will be upstairs How the entrance to the refurbished building might look Picture suppliedThe upstairs auditorium will be revamped and IAC plans to use it not only for its own functions but also rent it out for use by the wider community "It's all about making the place accessible for everyone," IAC chair board Uncle Richard Davis said The IAC's name and logo will be emblazoned on the front of the building and there is space to install a large mural outside "It's unbelievable that's our centre," board member Aunty Dawn Bell said after seeing a virtual walkthrough of the revamped building Wollongong City Council has a 25-year plan to revitalise Port Kembla and Uncle Richard says this project will contribute IAC chief executive officer William Henry said the project was worth close to $14 million and a development application was due to be lodged this week Mr Henry said work would begin in June 2025 and should be completed by June 2026 The IAC has been in discussions with federal and state MPs Alison Byrnes Stephen Jones and Paul Scully about the project said she expected to take the case for government funding forward early next year once the development application was approved and the final costings were done "[The IAC] has certainly got some great ideas that Stephen