Picture by Sylvia LiberShellharbour City Council's budget will be in deficit in the coming years 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 areaContinueAt Tuesday night's council meeting the draft 2025-26 budget and long-term financial projections were tabled which show how crucial the revenue from the Shell Cove project is for the council budget The draft budget shows an operating performance surplus of $28.7 million which includes the council's share of the council's share of the forecast $36.1 million profit from Shell Cove council is anticipating a standalone operating performance deficit of $7.4 million," the business papers stated "which represents an increase from the current 2024-2025 forecast budget deficit of $5.1 million." This is not the first time, the council relied on Shell Cove to keep its budget in the black - the same thing happened in 2022 the budget would have been around $1 million in the red without the Shell Cove money That Shell Cove revenue is due to end in a few years The long-term financial projections tabled at Tuesday night's meeting show a budget in deficit from 2030 with revenue from other sources (which included Shell Cove) more than halved At the meeting the councillors noted the importance of being smart with council finances once the Shell Cove windfall comes to an end "We forecast an operating surplus over the next five years due to the Shell Cove project dividends," Cr John Davey said we forecast an annual operating deficit between $6 million and $8 million per annum for each of the remaining five years "We mustn't allow that deficit to increase as we manage competing demands upon finite resources and risk undermining our commitment to financial sustainability." Cr Rob Petreski said the fact that the Shell Cove proceeds will keep the council's head above water in the coming budget was a sign it was "doing its job" But he suggested there might be a need for some belt-tightening in the coming years "We have to look at that going forward - after the Shell Cove project has been completed and run its course we're then forecasting deficits from then on," he said "So we need to make sure that we keep a handle on that and live within our means." 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. 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 Find out how to vote This commitment will include upgrades to improve facilities including the construction of a turf wicket sports field said this commitment is a downpayment on the sporting success of the Illawarra.  “I’m excited for Shell Cove families and clubs to benefit from this commitment like the mighty Shellharbour Suns and Swans and the Shellharbour City Cricket Club,” said Mr Smith.  “Shellharbour is a great place to live but community facilities are in dire need of an upgrade.”  said a Dutton Liberal Government would not take the Illawarra for granted and prioritise delivering for Whitlam families.  “Nathaniel Smith understands the crucial role of local sport in bringing Shellharbour and all of its suburbs together,” Senator Bragg said.  “Nathaniel has been a tireless advocate on behalf local families and has the experience to deliver for this community.”  This commitment is part of the Liberals’ plan to get Australia back on track.  To read more about our plan, visit nswliberal.org.au/our-plan  Donations by individuals to registered political parties of between $2 and $1,500 in a financial year are tax deductible. Phone: 02 8356 0300 Privacy Policy Authorised by Chris StoneLiberal Party of Australia 131 Macquarie StreetSydney NSW 2000Phone: (02) 8356 0300 Privacy Policy The field is stacked for one of the biggest events on the Ford Junior Master Series Calendar Over 165 of the most talented juniors from across NSW ACT and QLD will tee off at The Links Shell Cove for the Illawarra Junior Masters on Tuesday NSW State Team Member and Defending Champion Bo Chung (Concord) will be back in hopes of winning this event for a second consecutive year Chung shot a career-low round of 11-under par in the final round last year to win this prestigious event He also won the 2024 Bonville Champions Trophy and Macarthur Junior Masters Fellow NSW State Team Member Zac Oyston from the Wollongong Golf Club will be another one to watch this weekend at The Links Oyston finished in the Top 20 at the Australian Junior Amateur just a couple of weeks ago He also won the 16 Years Division at the Fore Golf Junior Matchplay Shaylan Bennett (Everglades) & Levi Park (Kooindah Waters) all have Junior Masters wins under their belt in the past seven months and will aim to claim another victory this weekend at the Links Shell Cove Concord’s Chayse Thorpe and St Michael’s Ian Kim both finished inside the top ten at the recent Australian Junior Amateur at The Indooroopilly Golf Club in Queensland Kim then went on to finish in a tie for second place at the Northern Rivers Junior Masters last week This talented pair will be looking to continue their hot streak this weekend Defending Girls Champion and NSW State Team Debutant Kiara Connolly-Jackson will be back this year to defend her crown The win last year kick-started the upward spiral for Connolly-Jackson where she won the Greg Chalmers Junior Masters a top 10 finish at The Bonville Champions Trophy and consecutive third-place finishes at the A.C.T Junior Championship and the Harvey Norman Week of Golf Also in the mix for the Girls is Monash Country Club member Mingming Lee The 12-year-old superstar has been on fire to start the year winning both Wagga Wagga Junior Masters and Blue Mountains Junior Masters back-to-back and no doubt Lee will be looking for her third win in just three months this weekend Coming off her biggest win at the Regional Academy Games Toukleys Ava Prince will be hoping to continue her fine form in the Illawarra After falling just short at the Harvey Norman Week of Golf she bounced back with an impressive 12-shot victory in Tamworth The grit and determination shown by Prince proves that she is one to watch Concord Young-Gun Alicia Luo will be shooting for two Ford Junior Masters titles in the space of just two weeks The 12-year-old won her first Junior Masters event at the Peter O’Malley Junior Masters at Bathurst GC Luo is always in the mix come the final round Will she be able to continue her winning form Postal Address:PO Box 555Brighton Le Sands 03 Apr 2020 • 1m read • View Author The-Waterfront-Shell-Cove-ramps-up-1732011076.png The Waterfront, Shell Cove is a joint development between Frasers Property Australia and Shellharbour City Council. Designed to accommodate all vessels up to 30 metres, the 270-berth Marina is being delivered in three stages. The first 116 berths will be ready in mid-2021 with the second and third stages to be delivered in 2023 and 2025. Shellharbour City Council has sought expressions of interest from operators to manage the maintenance facility and berth leasing, with a shortlist developed and an announcement expected soon. Oscars Hotels has been secured as the owner-operator of the new hotel at The Waterfront, a key piece of the region’s tourism infrastructure, while Balmoral Hospitality was recently named the owner-operator of the new tavern and dining precinct. “Elsewhere in The Waterfront, Frasers Property will soon release apartments. The luxury Nautilus building will enjoy an absolute harbourside position and is set to become Shell Cove’s undisputed architectural statement,” according to a statement. The Waterfront, Shell Cove is a community in a natural coastal setting surrounded by beaches, parks and wetlands but close to schools, transport and major centres. Rooted, resilient, resonant: Off-grid family living amongst the rugged Australian landscape Using DecoBatten®’s latest profile on The Seaside Sanctuary Solid Nordic softwood in interior design: Sustainable solutions for joinery, flooring and wall panelling Construction of resort-style clubhouse begins at AVID’s over 50s lifestyle precinct in Fraser Coast Sign up to our newsletter for the latest industry news, products and inspiration. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) 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 free PromenART Sculpture Walk features more than 50 installations by some of the nation's leading sculptors The free outdoor event was launched on Friday with the works scattered along the water's edge and town centre three years after the demise of the hugely popular Sculptures at Killalea during the pandemic 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? 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Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue23 Seaboard Way Set in an exclusive enclave near the Shellharbour Marina this modern masterpiece exudes sophistication and coastal luxury Amanda Bonnici from Ray White Shellharbour City said the exquisite designer residence offers an unrivalled sanctuary where every element has been meticulously curated for the discerning buyer you are greeted by an atmosphere of refined elegance," Amanda said "The expansive open-plan design seamlessly blends contemporary style with functional opulence featuring a state-of-the-art kitchen adorned with premium stone benchtops and bespoke cabinetry providing abundant storage." the grand dining and living space is framed by soaring high-set windows capturing serene outdoor vistas that shift beautifully with the changing light of the day A separate lounge/media room offers an intimate retreat while the guest suite with a designer bathroom ensures the highest level of comfort for visitors exquisite engineered oak flooring enhances the home's warm where an opulent Cloud 9 inground pool and spa take centre stage effortlessly extending from the outdoor entertaining area A thoughtfully designed courtyard provides the perfect space for children and pets to play while the seamless indoor-outdoor flow makes alfresco living a daily indulgence With ducted air-conditioning featuring MyAir functionality this home promises year-round comfort at the touch of a button boasting a walk-in robe and an elegant en suite designed for ultimate relaxation while the upstairs lounge invites you to unwind against the breathtaking backdrop of panoramic ocean views "Step onto your private balcony and immerse yourself in the beauty of the marina with vistas stretching to the iconic Hill 60 and beyond - a privileged vantage point for whale watching and coastal serenity," Amanda said "Situated in the prestigious heart of Shell Cove this residence is a statement of sophisticated coastal living with soft neutral tones and sun-drenched interiors and an array of elite amenities just moments away this is more than a home - it is a lifestyle of unparalleled excellence." I enjoy highlighting businesses and events in our community through features and special publications and have been doing so for more than 21 years. If you have a story for me email ndavey@austcommunitymedia.com.au Picture by Adam McLeanShellharbour City Council needs to start putting away money for the future upkeep of the Shell Cove Marina The report in the business papers stated that, with the construction nearing completion, the council "must shift towards strategically planning for the management of an operational marina and harbour precinct" "Failure to adequately plan for the operational maintenance and renewal of the Shell Cove Harbour and Shellharbour Marina precinct may impact council's compliance obligations and financial position and performance," the report stated If approved this will form part of the Operational Plan and Budget for 2025-26 to be presented to the council next month Also in Tuesday's business papers are the draft fees and charges which is due to go out on public exhibition It recommends an increase of around 4 per cent for collecting kerbside bins A 240-litre bin collection will go up from $595 to $619 with the costs associated with collecting an 80-litre bin increasing from $432 to $449 Court hire at Shellharbour City Stadium will go up $3 to $86 and admission fees to Warilla Oak Flats and Albion Park pools will increase by 50 cents to $6 for adults The concession charge for pool use will remain at $3.50 The business papers also contain a report on a soft plastics trial carried out in partnership with Wollongong and Kiama councils Over two collection days members of the public brought in 730 kilograms - 613 kilograms on one day Together with the Wollongong and Kiama collection points around 2400 kilograms of soft plastics were brought in The papers state that the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation - which represents the four councils in the region - is "currently organising transport of the collected soft plastics to a processing facility in Melbourne operated by Close the Loop" Close the Loop will use the soft plastics to create TonerPlas an asphalt additive made from recycled waste toner and soft plastics that "enhances road performance and longevity" The business papers said soft plastics - which included chip packets cereal liners and bubble wrap - made up about 7 of the waste from Shellharbour's red-topped bins going to landfill Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBed 2 | Bath 2 | Car 1 With magnificent south-easterly views over the marina and ocean this luxurious apartment within Benetti at Shell Cove offers an envious lifestyle Listing agent Jemma Minney from Colliers Wollongong said this is a unique opportunity to purchase a spectacular water-facing property positioned right along the harbour's edge "These extraordinary vistas will never be built out," Jemma said "Benetti boasts the highest elevation in Shell Cove rewarding residents with the best water and marina views in the area." The luxurious apartment features first-class finishes and has been expertly crafted combining a modern sensibility with the highest design values Comprising American Oak engineered timber flooring Miele appliances including a pyrolytic oven and gas cooking and a wall-mounted video intercom security system to name a few The multi-purpose room gives exceptional flexibility this adaptable space provides valuable versatility to suit changing needs the Crowne Plaza Hotel will offer extraordinary hotel amenities including a resort-style pool The apartment also benefits from the residents only exclusive rooftop pool and barbecue area "Located in the region's newest lifestyle and boating destination it's a beautiful spot to drop anchor," Jemma said "This property offers a unique fusion of luxury living exceptional hotel amenities and a world-class marina which will create an unmatched lifestyle in a breathtaking Enjoy elegant harbourside dining at The Waterfront Dining Precinct and The Waterfront Tavern set against boardwalks Shell CoveYou will also discover everyday convenience and essentials at your doorstep with Shell Cove Town Centre serving up entertainment It's a welcoming village hub hosting a Woolworths supermarket "We have a limited amount of waterfront apartments available," Jemma said professionals who desire a high-quality lifestyle or individuals looking for a vacation home or weekend getaway in an upscale setting." Experience what extraordinary feels like at Benetti Shell Cove It has an estimated completion date of Q2 2025 Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBed 5 | Bath 2 | Car 2 From the moment you step inside this one-of-a-kind Shell Cove residence you'll be captivated by the uninterrupted golf course views that provide the perfect backdrop for everyday living Whether you're entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet night in the sunset vistas across the lush green fairways will never fail to impress Listing agent Michelle Mannex from Shellharbour Marina Real Estate said the property is positioned at the end of a private cul-de-sac in one of the quietest and most prestigious pockets of Shell Cove the home is designed to embrace natural beauty and modern elegance creating the perfect balance of comfort and sophistication," Michelle said The heart of the home is the gourmet kitchen Featuring an exquisite waterfall stone benchtop this kitchen is built for those who love to cook and entertain Flowing seamlessly to a covered alfresco area this additional outdoor entertaining space is perfect for hosting gatherings all year round Enjoy weekend barbecues and family dinners or simply unwind while taking in the peaceful surroundings The luxurious main bedroom suite boasts a spacious walk-in robe and designer en suite and opens onto a private courtyard creating a serene escape to enjoy a morning coffee or unwind in peace the upstairs kids' or visitors' wings offer generously sized bedrooms and a stylish main bathroom this home truly excels with its incredible outdoor spaces The private and oversized backyard is a rare find in Shell Cove The backyard is fully fenced and meticulously landscaped There is also an oversized garage with a dedicated workspace and sink This exceptional residence is further enhanced by ducted air-conditioning and a dedicated study perfect for those who work from home "This property will suit golfing enthusiasts as well as families or downsizers looking for a home that has a fantastic outlook," Michelle said The family-friendly community offers everything within a short walk or drive Picture by Adam McLeanWhen one of Donut Jam's owners got a call from his daughter telling him the store had been robbed he couldn't believe it Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueVolkan Guden had just dropped Charlize Rodrigues the store manager at the Shell Cove Marina and was still in the car park when she called "She's panicking and said 'register's gone someone's in the shop it's open'," he said At 7.20am on Tuesday, September 9, a man walked into Donut Jam through the neighbouring Georgia Rose and stole or damaged property valued between "$8000-10,000" equipment and then pulls out the register goes behind a pillar puts his hoodie over the top and walks out like nothing." called the police before checking with nearby businesses if they had any footage Mr Guden took to Facebook and posted images of the man and a woman accompanying him "We actually had about 12 anonymous phone calls just telling us who the two people were in the footage," Ms Rodrigues said "We had messages on Facebook saying we don't want anyone to know "We passed that information on to the police." Police are continuing to investigate the Shell Cove Marina matter however in the meantime the Donut Jam owners can only repair the damage done "They don't think of the consequences of their actions," Ms Rodrigues said "We've got to replace the door and the damages caused to the store and stuff .. NSW Police had been contacted regarding links to other robberies in the area but had not responded to these questions at the time of publication 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 The council has now gone out to the community to decide whether it is in the right spot.A community backlash has forced Shellharbour City Council to rethink its plans for a library at Shell Cove Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe library will be housed inside the Waterfront Centre which was planned to sit on green space just to the north of the main shopping centre at Shell Cove The development application for the Waterfront Centre - which would replace the ageing library at Shellharbour Village - was approved in December last year "It brings a real civic aspect to the whole Waterfront Centre," Mayor Chris Homer said at the time "There's plenty of commercial shops here but people will be able to come down and be inside a building where you're not really obliged to pay for something to stay there." However, since that announcement there have been concerns from residents that the construction would take up green space now used as a play area by children now gauging the community's preference for the Waterfront Centre's location in an online survey at the Let's Chat Shellharbour website As well as the existing spot - deemed Location A - a second location at the corner of Harbour and Cove boulevards is up for consideration The second site - immediately west of the shopping centre - is land the council decided to buy late last year for $2 million The two proposed locations for the Shell Cove library and community centre Picture by Shellharbour City CouncilThat was the original location as part of the Shell Cove Master Plan drawn up in 1996 Changes in 2019 saw it move to Location A - the green space on Waterfront Promenade "We know there has been a lot of commentary in the community about whether the location of the Waterfront Centre is right or whether the community would like it retained as green space," Mayor Homer said "This is the community's opportunity to tell council what they would like to see Does the community prefer to keep all of the green space or does it want to see the library community centre and visitor information centre there?" then the design and development process will have to start again as the approved Waterfront Centre was specifically designed for Location A But it is estimated to be $6 million cheaper to build on Location B than the waterfront site Council staff will be at Location A on October 19 from 9am to 12pm and on October 24 from 9am to 12pm to talk about the project trucking in up to 200,000 tonnes of material a year Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueUp to 160,000 tonnes of concrete will be brought in from Heidelberg Materials and its associates' batch plants around Sydney while up to 40,000 tonnes of glass will be brought in from a Visy recycling plant in Liverpool The material will be crushed at Bass Point to make aggregate which will then be sold for various construction projects Shellharbour City Council had initially raised concerns about truck movements through Shell Cove. But the quarry operator, which has recently changed its name from Hanson to Heidelberg Matrerials had said the development of the crushing plant would not mean more truck movements as they would simply be coming back full rather than empty Heidelberg is a German multinational materials company which has owned Hanson since 2007 The EPA had earlier been concerned about water leaching out of the operations into the surrounding environment but these were overcome in the planning process The quarry is surrounded by sensitive lands on all sides - the Bass Point nature reserve, Killalea Regional Park, Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve and the growing residential area of Shell Cove A real-time dust monitor will be installed at the northwest edge of the quarry, the area nearest to the expanding housing of Shell Cove, after the Environment Protection Authority made it a requirement of Heidelberg's licence The EPA has directed that the real-time monitors include particle sizes PM2.5 The EPA will consider whether further licence conditions are needed such as monitoring of potential liquids leaching from the site The aggregate recycling plan was approved by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure after an assessment report found it was in the public interest "The department understands that there is demand for construction materials amid the strategic infrastructure investment in NSW," the report stated. "The Department considers that the proposed recycling activities represent an efficient reuse of waste stream and an efficient use of the existing quarry site, without the need to amend any limits approved by the existing development consent." Last year Hanson said the concrete and glass crusher could be seen as a move towards sustainability. "Under this proposal, leftover concrete and glass would be diverted from landfill and processed as recyclable materials at the quarry so they can be sustainably reused to produce recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) products," the company said. "This will help reduce the demand for limited natural resources used in concrete and other aggregate products and increase the industry's use of recyclable materials." Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time A man has died at a popular diving site just south of Wollongong on Saturday morning Emergency services were called to The Gravel Loader Dive Site near the South Coast suburb of Shell Cove just before lunchtime after reports that a body had been found in the water Emergency services by The Gravel Loader Dive Site on Saturday morning where a man was declared dead.Credit: Sylvia Liber whose identity and age are yet to be confirmed Police are treating the death as an accident The Gravel Loader site is popular among divers from Sydney and the South Coast It is regarded as a shallow and gentle spot and is also frequented by night divers The death comes two days after a 52-year-old man drowned at nearby South Bombo Beach about 5pm on Boxing Day The man was caught in a rip while swimming with an uninjured 18-year-old relative The drowning prompted Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald to issue a new water safety warning to visitors and locals on Friday He called the death at South Bombo a “terrible tragedy” It was the second drowning at Kiama’s beaches within a week following the death of a holidaymaker at Werri Beach near Gerringong on December 21 Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. A man has died at a popular diving site just south of Wollongong on Saturday morning. Emergency services were called to The Gravel Loader Dive Site near the South Coast suburb of Shell Cove just before lunchtime, after reports that a body had been found in the water. The man, whose identity and age are yet to be confirmed, was declared dead at the site. Police are treating the death as an accident. The Gravel Loader site is popular among divers from Sydney and the South Coast. It is regarded as a shallow and gentle spot and is also frequented by night divers. The death comes two days after a 52-year-old man drowned at nearby South Bombo Beach about 5pm on Boxing Day. The man was caught in a rip while swimming with an uninjured 18-year-old relative. The drowning prompted Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald to issue a new water safety warning to visitors and locals on Friday. He called the death at South Bombo a \\u201Cterrible tragedy\\u201D. It was the second drowning at Kiama\\u2019s beaches within a week, following the death of a holidaymaker at Werri Beach near Gerringong on December 21. Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBed 6 | Bath 3.5 | Car 2 It's not often you find a home in a sought-after coastal location that still offers privacy and peaceful bushland surrounds but that is just one of the drawcards of this magnificent property The home is positioned on the edge of Killalea Regional Park and pristine beach The Farm and is also next to a reserve where there are no neighbours at the rear The current owner of the property said the location is quite unique in Shell Cove "It also backs onto one of Shell Cove's beautiful walking tracks which can take you into Killalea Park in a matter of minutes or you can walk down to the Shellharbour Marina in a 10-minute walk or less," the owner said "This home is certainly close to the new Marina area but is far enough away that when the area is finished you will be out of the hustle and bustle." the home is a masterpiece featuring clever use of highlight windows and a stunning floor-to-ceiling expansive corner glass window looking out to the green backyard vista A bespoke three-metre kitchen island concrete bench with feature splashback adorns the kitchen which also includes double Ilve ovens and a full butler's pantry double garage property has a completely flexible floorplan to suit your own family situation including accommodation for in-laws or adult children or rental income from the separate annex suite This zone has its own entrance via both a separate timber deck or through the garage conveniently houses plumbing for a kitchenette huge walk-in robe and its own parking space Shell Cove"The best part of our home is definitely the downstairs living/kitchen/dining area The 'U' shaped area surrounds the massive outdoor entertainer's deck which leads onto the resort-style heated saltwater pool with the lush bushland setting surrounding you," the owner said the home is baked in beautiful sunshine most of the day "We also love the vegetable/herb garden and have never bought any tomatoes in the summer due to the garden flourishing." This property meets a Liveability Features Appraisal in conjunction with the CSIRO which means it has features to reduce home running costs enabling access to repair roofs and waterproofing in Shell Cove in May 2023 Picture by Sylvia LiberAn astonishing 92 per cent of homes at Shell Cove constructed by Frasers have some level of defect Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAssistant Building Commissioner Matt Press and several inspectors visited Shell Cove on Thursday to meet with Frasers and speak to affected residents Problems, including insufficient waterproofing have been reported by the Mercury, with repair work on some homes beginning in January last year developer Frasers - who is in a partnership with Shellharbour City Council - informed him in a meeting that around 325 out of 354 homes have defects requiring attention Shellharbour MP Anna Watson (in green) and Assistant Building Commissioner Matt Press (fourth from the right) with residents and others at Shell Cove Picture supplied"I think this is just an example of the problems that are in the industry from having a lack of regulation and a lack of oversight," Mr Press said "This is unfortunately a hotspot where there's a concentration of those issues." Despite that large number of homes with defects Mr Press said the Building Commission only had residents from nine Shell Cove homes lodge complaints and so they have taken measures to get a better idea of the problem "What we've done today is started off a letterbox drop where we want people to contact us so we can log those defects and start to have the ability to use our powers to have Frasers respond," Mr Press said The information the Building Commission is dropping in Shell Cove letterboxes to uncover the extent of the construction problems in the suburb.He said that the Building Commission was having "positive discussions" with Frasers who "were not running away from the work" and had an in-principle agreement to enter into an undertaking to fix the defects The undertaking is an alternative approach to issuing a building rectification order - Mr Press noted if they went down that path Frasers would be the first to have more than 300 such orders against their name Mr Press said Frasers was aiming to have the repair work completed by the end of 2026 but wanted to see some enforceability around that "We want to make sure there is an agreed end date with some weight behind it rather than just being a date that could move as things change," he said "We want a date that's set in stone and there's an agreed process for how that date might change if certain circumstances come up." The Building Commission recently set up an office in Wollongong - its first outside of Sydney - and Mr Press said their work at Shell Cove showed the benefits of that decision "I'd say it's a great example of what we can achieve now that we have a local presence of the Building Commission in this region," Mr Press said "We're barely three weeks in and we've got inspectors wandering around these homes and starting to hopefully make a difference." A spokesperson for Frasers confirmed that it wasn't looking to run away and would repair the defects "Frasers Property has acknowledged the issue and remains dedicated to rectifying issues as communicated to customers individually," the spokesperson said "Frasers Property has been collaborating and communicating with the Building Commission NSW regarding the detailed works program to fix the issues with homes at Shell Cove "We continue to transparently communicate the specifics of this program with our customers including key process milestones and time-frames and providing ongoing support while works are under way." The spokesperson also said the council and Building Commission were aware of the details of the works program Shellharbour MP Anna Watson was also at Shell Cove with Mr Press and echoed his call for home owners to log their building defects with the commission I'm urging people to come forward and let us know what the defects are in their own properties," Ms Watson said "I do intend to hold a community forum; that will be happening in early September and I will be inviting the whole of the community." Ms Watson said she had spoken to residents who wouldn't speak out about the defects for fears that Frasers would delay their repairs - or not carry them out at all "We had quite a number of residents come forward and give their stories about what's happened to their properties and the defects that have occurred and the lack of action from Frasers on these defects," Ms Watson said "People need to feel comfortable in making those complaints What we did hear today was people were reluctant to come forward because they're concerned that it could backfire on them that Frasers will never fix their complaints." Ms Watson also said she was pleased with Building Commissioner David Chandler's previous comments that Shellharbour City Council had to take an interest as it was a "co-developer" at Shell Cove A spokesperson from the council declined to directly address whether it agreed with Mr Chandler's description they did not state whether they felt the building defects issue had damaged the council's reputation and we take our role seriously as a partner in this development," the spokesperson said "Our partnership with Frasers Property has enabled us to undertake one of the largest projects delivered by a Local Government authority in Australia "We respect the role of the NSW Building Commissioner and we will continue to work with Frasers Property to find appropriate outcomes for project." Watch 2m 10sShellharbour butterfly business owner James Tebbutt took his 3m x 3m mesh gazebo butterfly enclosure to Warrigal Shell Cove aged care facility for residents to enjoy. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced A Shell Cove man has learnt his fate for swerving at a cyclist with his ute before driving head-on at a postwoman in two dangerous road incidents 15 minutes apart 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 66-year-old cyclist, Gary Shaw was thrown from his road bike after being pushed by the ute's front passenger while the 26-year-old Australia Post motorcycle rider was left feeling unsafe on the road The driver Jay Dee Camilleri was sentenced at Wollongong Local Court on Friday August 16 after pleading guilty to two counts of driving recklessly furiously or at a speed or manner that is dangerous stemming from the November 30 Camilleri received a six-month intensive correction order and his licence was disqualified for 12 months He was not charged over the actions of his passengers Tendered court documents state Mr Shaw was wearing a red jersey and a yellow helmet when riding well into the side of the lane along Shellharbour Road in Warrawong about 4.10pm He noticed a white Nissan Navara ute being driven by Camilleri had come extremely close to him The next thing Mr Shaw remembered was feeling a presence and falling heavily to the ground A witness who watched the incident unfold approached Mr Shaw and provided him with dashcam footage which revealed a passenger from the ute had reached out the window and pushed Mr Shaw causing him to immediately drop to the ground and roll onto the grass Camilleri continued driving without offering assistance he targeted a postwoman who was delivering mail on a motorcycle along Kelly Street in Berkeley The postwoman drove down a driveway and onto a road when she noticed the ute come close to her before it swerved onto the wrong side of the road and angled towards her swerving onto the correct side of the road at the last moment leaving her feeling uncomfortable and unsafe on the road She pulled over and texted her boyfriend about what happened also noticing a rear passenger of the vehicle with his arms out the driver's window Mr Shaw's relative posted the dashcam footage to Facebook to appeal for help in finding the driver of the ute prompting her to get in touch and provide footage of the second incident Mr Shaw and the postwoman reported the matter to police with witnesses also providing statements and handing over footage Police spoke with Camilleri at a Horsley address on December 11 with him admitting to being the driver in both incidents source unknownA viral video showing a child allegedly being attacked by a shark in Shell Cove Harbour has been branded as a fake The footage being shared on Facebook shows a group of 10 people swimming off Kids Beach when the water around one of them suddenly turns red The others quickly swim away as the red colour spreads further out into the water and police told the Mercury that no shark attack had been reported The video has been reposted so many times that its original source is unknown "I've just seen a video of a shark attack at the marina is this real There was a group of teenagers in the water and it looked like a girl was attacked How safe is the mini beach?" one person posted to the Shell Cove Community Notice Board Others quickly called out the video as fake who wrote: "It's fake I just seen it and was horrified but later found it While Freddo Frogg wrote: "Those kids deserve an Oscar Qiolevu Dee wrote: "It just wouldn't be circuling (sic) her it would be the whole pack Sooo fake and such an immature thing to do" A Shell Cove Marina worker also called the video out as fake the boat in the video was moved before Xmas so Patriot 1 could park there It's an old video that has been edited," they posted Surf Life Saving Illawarra's Anthony Turner said while he received many calls about the alleged shark he confirmed there was no emergency response and the video is a hoax The Mercury understands the teens had put food dye into a balloon and then exploded it under water 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 File picture by ACMA Shell Cove man has been found not guilty of raping an underage peer Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKyran Dimovski was charged in January 2022 with three counts of sexual intercourse with a child aged 14-16 after a girl made allegations stemming from events in September 2021 Dimovski, then aged 19, denied the allegations and the matter proceeded to a hearing at Wollongong Local Court The court heard the pair had communicated on Snapchat before Dimovski went to the girl's home The girl alleged Dimovski pinned her to the bed following a pillow fight before sexually assaulting her despite her repeated requests for him to stop "he's twice my size so I didn't have control how I moved The court found inconsistencies between the girl's text history and between her first and second statements to police She claimed she had had no intention of having sex with Dimovski but investigating police found a "raft of messages" contradicting this An adult present at the property contradicted the girl's evidence of being in pain bleeding and unable to get off the bed afterwards Police also found no record of her having attended hospital for a pregnancy test "She was a young woman attending hospital for a pregnancy test there should have been a record of that," Magistrate Mark Douglass said Magistrate Douglass handed down his decision in August however a non-publication order prevented public reporting on the matter until recently Magistrate Douglass noted Dimovski's police statement had "contained multiple lies" "Not only does he lie about not knowing [the girl] but he more broadly lied that he never picked up anyone from [the girl's school] that he's never communicated with girls that didn't go to school with him on Snapchat," he said The magistrate ultimately found that prosecutors had failed to meet the required standard of proof "There are numerous lies in [Dimovski's] interview At this point in these particular proceedings I pause," Magistrate Douglass said "I can put the accused's testimony to one side and in doing that proven the [accused's] guilt beyond reasonable doubt "I find the accused not guilty of the three offences before the court." Dimovski's mother broke down in tears at the decision Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au Picture suppliedTowradgi Public School may be one of the smallest in the Illawarra but its boys football team is achieving monumental feats Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueTowradgi PS will battle Shell Cove PS in the NSWPSSA South Coast Boys Football Knockout Regional Final this Thursday at Ian McLennan Park from 12pm and Queanbeyan in the West entered into the knockout with Towradgi PS and Shell Cove PS reaching the final Towradgi Public School assistant principal Sarena Hill said Towradgi was a little school that could The enrolment of students from kindergarten to year 6 is 131 students in total "Despite our small enrolment, we have achieved a monumental feat by reaching the South Coast NSWPSSA Football Knockout regional final," she said "We played against schools who have much larger enrolments but our boys have huge hearts and a love for the game of football and they are learning about sportsmanship and the qualities of being a team player." View +12 PhotosTowradgi have won all six games they've played to date scoring 33 goals in the process while conceding only two The school football side was particularly impressive in its 11-1 win over Corrimal East PS and 8-0 victory over Balgownie PS Class teacher Aimee Woodley and Ms Hill have managed the team throughout the process "We could not have done it without the support of our school staff and families from the Towradgi Public School community," the assistant principal said "Families have assisted with coaching sessions and most of all sideline support and cheering "Our P&C have been a huge support and purchased a new soccer kit for the team that will last for years to come." 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. Chris Guillaume and Michael Daly at Michael's home gym on Wednesday Picture by Adam McLean There's three rules to this group - you've got to be a dad "I moved here about three years ago and I wanted to meet some like-minded dads to be given an opportunity to just talk about life and train and connect in a healthy way as opposed to going 'let's go to the pub'," he said Mr Rigney tried the Man Walk a few times but it clashed with kids swimming lessons and activities of this three kids "I think they do a great job and I thought I could just do something slightly different to them and make sure it wasn't at the same time to give another option for people to catch up," he said and posted to Facebook asking interested dads to come along for a chat and some weight and aerobic training who also happens to be a lecturer in exercise science at Australian Catholic University said it's already much bigger than he expected "I put a post up nearly two months ago probably and I thought maybe like a handful of people would say 'yeah "I was blown away by how many people were keen to get involved." The first session was on a State of Origin night, but the big game failed to deter dads from coming along. "We had a good chat, we all shared some information about how many kids we had, what kind of work we did, just general introduction stuff as it was the first session," Mr Rigney said. I was blown away by how many people were keen to get involved. He's pretty chuffed with how it's going and is keen to skip the pub, at least for a bit, to make some friends another way. "It's a healthy way to connect with dads going through similar circumstances," he said. "A lot of us put our emotions to the side and sort of just deal with it internally. Whereas if we can connect in a healthy way and if it helps people take a bit of a load out of them, then that's the second bonus to the health outcome that you're trying to achieve with people training together." As he got his home gym ready for the weekly Wednesday session, Mr Rigney is looking forward to what the future holds. "Hopefully it turns into a group where on a Sunday we go 'hey, let's have a barbecue with the families' that type of stuff." "I've always liked to give back to the community and you got to realise that it's a bigger picture. You're in this world and there's a lot of people going through hard times and it's good to sort of have a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen to. "It just allows another avenue for people to do that." Get in contact with Michael via email at rigneystrength@outlook.com to find out more. The works are in contravention of the approved development application, which states that noise generating activities must only be carried out during business hours. "Noise-generating activities, including excavation, construction and delivery of equipment and materials, must only be carried out between 7am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 5pm Saturdays," the conditions state. No noise-generating work is to be carried out on a Sunday. One nearby resident whose home faces the construction site said the noise was "relentless". "It starts first thing in the morning and goes on until really late at night, even on Saturdays." The Illawarra Mercury asked Shellharbour City Council whether works were permitted to occur outside of the standard hours but was directed to the principal certifying authority. Attempts to reach certifier McKenzie Group to find out whether construction works were permitted to occur outside of the standard hours did not receive a reply. McKenzie Group is also the principal certifying authority on the Ancora and Nautilus apartment projects. Nearby residents said it is common for work to occur outside of standard hours at the Ancora project and nearby roads have been closed to allow construction to occur without warning or prior notification. Complaints to council about this have been diverted to McKenzie Group. Councillor Jacqui Graf, whose ward covers part of Shell Cove, said there were some cases where construction could occur outside of the standard hours, but residents should be informed when and why. "Living in an area impacted by extensive ongoing construction it is foreseeable to have to endure some noise during permissible hours till completion of the project," she said. "I think most people would understand that at times further disturbance may be unavoidable, but a letter box drop to inform surrounding residents of any impending further disruption to their amenity e.g. noise or access etc. would be courteous and beneficial. "In the absence of such notification, it is appropriate for anyone adversely affected outside of hours to report to Council." After a neighbour to the construction site reached her "wit's end" a complaint was made to council and noise levels have reduced. Living in a new community they acknowledged that some disruption from construction was bound to take place, but this was the final straw. "I have a swimming pool that I can't use because it's too noisy and full of dust, and I have solar panels that don't function correctly because they're covered in dust, all of that is fine, but that noise all day and all night is just too much." the Nation's Most Outstanding Mobile/Home Based Travel Advisor Picture by Robert PeetDonna Jones loves her job Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Shell Cove-based travel advisor has been helping travellers for more than 26 years and was recognised at the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards Bestowed with the Nation's Most Outstanding Mobile/Home Based Travel Advisor title Ms Jones said the recognition was a "big accolade" "It confirms that you're doing things right you're achieving what you want to achieve," she said "It just means everything to run an amazing with a second office at Lake Conjola and helps clients all over Australia Helping her clients "live their best lives" "I get really big satisfaction from curating right from the get-go," she said "We kind of start everything from scratch and then end up with some amazing 6-8 weeks with an incredible itinerary that's completely personalised to them." Ms Jones began her career in the travel industry after finishing school and earning qualifications in the travel and tourism sector "It was always what I wanted to do," she said "It was a very hard industry to get into back then and it probably still is now "I did some unpaid work experience to start with and it kind of went from there." Travel advisors help simplify the intricacies of travel Ms Jones is prepared to help her clients get out of trouble "There are two things I always tell people to pack in addition to their luggage and their passports and one is a sense of adventure," she said travel is fraught with all sorts of potential complications and mishaps the internet's made it look like it's not but it absolutely is." Flight cancellations and delays, different visa requirements per country and the condition of a passport could all make or break a holiday I inspect people's passports before they leave because plenty of people have been denied boarding for destinations like Indonesia because their passport has a stain on it I'm always on hand to fix things wherever possible Ms Jones doesn't consider online travel something she has to compete with because she provides "a completely different level of service." "I've had phone calls in the past where people have mucked up something themselves that they've done online and they've been denied boarding "Unfortunately if it hasn't been done in the first place by a travel agent it's very difficult to help somebody when it's been done online." 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 hospitality company Oscars Group is advertising for a general manager for the new Crowne Plaza hotel which will contain "luxury" amenities including 181 rooms and serviced apartments The Crowne Plaza under construction in April 2024 Picture by Robert PeetThe job ad for the manager role says the successful candidate will need to "deliver a premium customer experience" while managing all financial aspects of the hotel They will also have to "set and maintain a level of service and quality that consistently exceeds the expectations of our guests" Oscars Group is looking for someone with previous experience in senior leadership positions in a hotel The Crowne Plaza is described by developers Frasers Property and Shellharbour City Council as a "major part of the vision" of the Waterfront project Forty-two luxury apartments will sit atop the hotel In 2025, the Waterfront project is also due to see the completion of the community centre, library and visitors centre The Waterfront has been a long-held ambition of Shellharbour council which partnered with Frasers to deliver the project Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. A man has drowned at a popular diving spot on New South Wales' south coast, just days after a man died in a rip at a nearby beach north of Kiama. A man is confirmed dead after he was pulled from the water at The Gravel Loader Dive Site in Shell Cove near Shellharbour, north of Kiama. Emergency services rushed to Bass Point Tourist Road on Saturday at 11.20am after reports a body of a man was found in the water. Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended the scene where the man was declared dead, with the cause of his death being misadventure. Police have commenced an investigation into the incident. The victim's body is yet to be formally identified. "Inquiries have led police to believe the incident is not suspicious," NSW Police said in a statement. As inquiries continue a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner. The Gravel Loader Dive Site is a popular snorkelling and diving spot on NSW's south coast. Another water-related incident occurred at Shell Cove on Saturday with a woman pulled from sea at Killalea Beach conscious about 2.30pm. Local paramedics were called as she was transported to hospital in a stable condition. This is now the second drowning in the area in a matter of days, after a man drowned at South Bombo Beach on Thursday. He was reportedly swimming with his 18-year-old son when they found themselves caught in a rip. Locals ran into the water to try and save them but the 52-year-old died at the scene. The teenager walked away uninjured. Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueEmergency services were called Bass Point Tourist Road following reports a man had been found unresponsive in the water on Saturday morning NSW Police has launched an investigation into the incident It is the third tragedy on the Illawarra coast within a week after a 52-year-old father drowned on South Bombo Beach on Boxing Day A file image of the gravel loader at Bass Point in Shell Cove a leading member of Sydney's Muslim community had been swimming in the surf with his 18-year-old son when they became caught in a rip Last week, a 66-year-old woman drowned at an unpatrolled section of Werri Beach She was pulled from the water unconscious and not breathing by 13-year-old members of the Gerringong club Picture by Adam McLeanShellharbour councillors voted to ensure the Shellharbour Marina remains "a gift to the city and not a burden" That would be achieved by investing the future earnings from the project - referred to as "the dividend" in the council report" - and using the interest to fund maintenance work The motion passed by councillors also stated that any interest not required at the marina "may be used towards renewing assets across the wider Local Government Area" Cr John Davey noted that it had long been a plan of the council to ensure other areas of the city did not miss out on funding in favour of the marina "We go back to the early days when the marina was proposed against a lot of vociferous and strong pushback from community," Cr Davey said "There was an undertaking given at that time that the development and the benefits that flowed from the marina would not just accrue to those who lived in the marina precinct and the surrounding area "That there would be a benefit that would flow across the whole city coming from that interest based on the dividend investment He said the calculation of the funding split of the dividend interest "That's what community is already starting to talk to me about - when are the benefits going to start flowing to the broader city and not just occurring around the marina area," Cr Davey said "That's why I think it's very important that we don't rush to that - whatever that allocation is going to be That we do it with a mind to the future and the future needs as this asset does wear and tear over the next 10 Cr Rob Petreski said it was the first council asset he had seen with maintenance plans projected out to 100 years "Whilst in the first few years it's a brand new facility and probably won't need much maintenance so we need to make sure that we balance that we need to balance community expectations as well and we need to make sure that it remains a gift to the city and not a burden "And the only way we're going to do that is to make sure that we have processes in place that can manage that facility This is probably not the page you’re looking for All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe footage being shared on Facebook shows a group of 10 people swimming off Kids Beach We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy. but police said no shark attack had been reported he confirmed there was no emergency response and the video was a hoax The Register understands the teens had put food dye into a balloon and then exploded it under water She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury