Local residents had the opportunity to put their energy bills under the microscope when Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP hosted NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe at a Bring Your Bills consumer energy forum in Moruya on Friday.

Held at the Moruya Surf Life Saving Club in partnership with the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance (SHASA), the forum brought together residents and energy experts to look at practical ways households can reduce their energy costs, improve efficiency and make informed decisions about their energy use.

Dr Holland said the forum was about giving people practical information they could use immediately.

“With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, people want to know what they can actually do to bring their bills down,” Dr Holland said.

“Bringing together government agencies, local experts and residents, meant people could ask questions specific to their own circumstances and get practical advice.”

Minister Sharpe spoke with residents about the NSW Government’s energy initiatives and the opportunities available to households to save money, including energy efficiency, solar and battery storage.

Kathryn Maxwell, SHASA President, informed attendees that “SHASA and Repower Shoalhaven will soon be rolling out a multi-year program, funded by the NSW Government, to assist households to reduce their energy bills”.

The forum also provided information about solar panels and batteries, electric vehicles, improving home comfort and reducing household energy consumption.

Residents were encouraged to bring their latest energy bill so they could better understand their energy use and explore what savings or assistance may be available to them.

Dr Holland said one of the most valuable aspects of the forum was helping people navigate what can sometimes be a confusing energy market.

“There are rebates, assistance programs and energy-saving opportunities available, but knowing what you are eligible for and where to start can be difficult,” he said.

“Events like this are about making that information accessible and giving people the confidence to make decisions that work for their household.”

The forum follows Dr Holland’s ongoing focus on helping local residents manage cost-of-living pressures and access government support.

The NSW Government, through services including Service NSW and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, provides a range of rebates and assistance programs, while the Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) can assist customers experiencing difficulties with their energy retailer or paying their bills.

The Bring Your Bills forum was held on Friday 21 August at the Moruya Surf Life Saving Club and was free for local residents to attend.

For info on Government Agencies and how they can help with energy bills, ….

Communities across rural and regional NSW continue to benefit from improved access to Key Health Worker Accommodation, with more than 70 dwellings delivered so far as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.

In the Southern NSW Local Local Health District two duplexes in Bega, two duplexes Crookwell, and five homes in Moruya have been acquired.

The Key Health Worker Accommodation program is supporting the recruitment and retention of health workers and their families in regional and rural NSW by providing a range of accommodation options.

The funding, part of the 2024-25 Budget, is delivering more than 20 key health worker accommodation projects across the state.

The Minns Labor Government has also allocated $10 million from the $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program to deliver key health worker housing for paramedics in regional NSW.

NSW Health continues to work with local health districts, NSW Ambulance, Homes NSW, and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to identify appropriate key health worker accommodation options and sites across NSW.

NSW Rural Fire Service – Far South Coast Team says :

The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) will commence in the Far South Coast on Tuesday 1 September. From this date, anyone planning to conduct a pile burn or other permitted burn will need to ensure they have the appropriate Fire Permit before lighting.

A permit is only one part of the process. If you’re planning a burn, remember:

CHECK – Make sure your proposed burn meets the requirements for a safe and lawful burn. Check your pile, surrounding vegetation, available equipment, and other requirements before applying.

PERMIT – During the Bush Fire Danger Period, obtain the required Fire Permit online here https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp before lighting your burn

NOTIFY – Once you’ve identified suitable conditions and intend to proceed, you must provide at least 24 hours’ notice before lighting:

Notify the NSW RFS online at https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp

Notify all adjoining neighbours of your intention to burn.

BURN SAFELY – Continue to monitor weather and fire conditions right up until you light.

Having a permit does not mean you should proceed if conditions are no longer suitable. These requirements help ensure proposed burns can be appropriately assessed, planned burns are recorded before ignition, neighbours know that smoke or fire may be visible.

There is plenty of information available on the NSW RFS website about Fire Permits, notification requirements, pile burn standards and preparing for a safe burn. Visit rfs.nsw.gov.au for more information.

A little planning before you light goes a long way towards keeping our Far South Coast communities safe.

Work on the $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital is progressing quickly, with upgrades to connecting roads underway, the helipad under construction and the internal fit out of several clinical and support departments well progressed.

Premier Chris Minns toured the construction sites of the new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital and the Batemans Bay Community Health facility, as work progresses to deliver expanded healthcare facilities to communities across the South Coast.

The Minns Labor Government’s $330 million Eurobodalla Regional Hospital will deliver expanded world-class services in a modern, purpose-built facility, providing care to communities from Narooma to Batemans Bay and significantly improving access to essential health services.

The new Hospital will have an emergency department larger than currently available at Moruya and Batemans Bay combined, it will feature the region’s first intensive care unit and new services which will mean in some cases patients no longer need to travel to Canberra, Bega or Shoalhaven for care.

The new Eurobodalla Regional Hospital includes:

• An Emergency Department
• An eight-bed Intensive Care/Close Observation Unit — the region’s first Intensive Care Unit
• Surgical and operating theatres, including a day-stay surgical unit
• Expanded chemotherapy and renal dialysis services
• An expanded medical imaging department, including MRI  
• Ambulatory care and outpatient services
• Paediatric and maternity services, with a special care nursery
• Mental health beds for short-term care
• Education and training facilities, including a simulation laboratory

Key medical equipment is being installed throughout the facility, including an MRI machine, CT scanner, as well as X-ray and ultrasound equipment, which will expand access to medical imaging services for the growing South Coast community.

Additionally, the hospital’s main entrance is taking shape with a new canopy structure now in place and landscaping around the hospital progressing, creating welcoming outdoor areas for patients, visitors and staff.

Construction of the $20 million Batemans Bay Community Health facility is also making significant progress, with the building façade nearing completion and internal fit-out well underway.

The new health facility is located on the existing Batemans Bay Hospital site and, together with the existing Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, it will provide the community with convenient access to both health services.

Artificial Intelligence assisted animal detection cameras and ‘smart’ signage are coming together on the Monaro Highway for a trial, aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle strikes.

The innovative combination of technologies – called the Protective Animal Warning System (PAWS) – is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to improve safety for motorists and reduce the number of animal strikes on regional roads, particularly in known wildlife hotspots.

PAWS is being installed on a high-risk section of the Monaro Highway near Cooma, where high speeds, limited street lighting and frequent movement of animals increase the likelihood of crashes, especially around dawn and dusk.

Heat sensing and optical roadside cameras detect wildlife on or near the road and use an AI computer vision-aided model that has been specially trained to identify common species – such as kangaroos, deer and wombats. In real time, animals are detected and identified, and drivers are notified through smart road signage that lights up to warn of animals ahead.

Development of the PAWS technology was carried out by Transport for NSW technology and biodiversity specialists in 2025, who used wildlife movement data and imagery to ‘train’ the new AI system. This included work at Transport’s Yennora facility and collaboration with Symbio Wildlife Park, north of Wollongong.

At Symbio, special cameras were used to capture a library of images, showing how different species move and behave. That data was then combined with time of day and weather information to further refine the system’s accuracy in real world conditions.

Communities across the Snowy Monaro will be better protected during bush fires and other emergencies, with the opening of a new $16 million emergency hub.
The state-of-the-art facility at Polo Flat delivers an expanded operational space, improved coordination capability and enhanced training and logistics areas for emergency services ahead of the next bush fire season.
It includes a modern Fire Control Centre, dedicated Emergency Operations Centre capability and a purpose-built aviation hangar to support air operations across the region.
The new centre replaces an outdated facility and includes modern incident management and training rooms, logistics and equipment storage, offices, a base for bush fire mitigation crews as well as a helipad and aircraft hangar.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib was joined by Member for Monaro Steve Whan, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Trent Curtin, local leaders and emergency service personnel to unveil the development today.
The project represents a $16.1 million investment in community safety by the Minns Labor Government along with local partners, including Snowy Hydro and council.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said: “Behind every emergency response are volunteers and emergency workers giving everything they’ve got. We want to make sure they have the facilities and equipment to do their job safely and effectively.
“This new Fire Control Centre, Emergency Operations Centre and aviation facility will strengthen coordination and better support the incredible volunteers who serve the Snowy Monaro region.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in modern, fit‑for‑purpose emergency services facilities right across the state to ensure communities are prepared for future challenges.”

Construction has begun on 18 new social homes in Moruya, transforming underutilised land into modern housing for those who need it most in the Eurobodalla region.

It’s all part of the Minns Labor Government’s record breaking $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, which will deliver 8,400 new social homes, support 21,000 affordable and market homes, and upgrade 30,000 existing social housing properties across the state.

The project will replace three outdated dwellings from the 1970’s with a mix of six one-bedroom, ten two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes to support approximately 37 residents.

The two-storey building is sustainably designed and energy efficient with rooftop solar to keep bills down, while also featuring air conditioning in each unit to provide comfortable living for every resident, along with 20 car spaces and landscaping.

Three homes will be adaptable to support those with disability, along with three accessible car parking spaces.

Located on Brinja Yuin Country the complex is within walking distance of Moruya town centre, close to bus services and the local public school. The development will provide future residents with easy access to transport, shops, and community facilities.

Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland said “Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home, and these 18 new social homes in Moruya will make a real difference to people in our community who need housing the most.

This development is about making better use of existing land by replacing three ageing homes with 18 modern, energy-efficient homes that will provide quality housing for around 37 people. It’s a practical investment that will strengthen our community for years to come.”

“I’m particularly pleased to see the inclusion of adaptable homes to support people living with disability, as well as sustainable design features that will help reduce energy costs for future residents” he added.

The project will also create around 65 local jobs during construction, providing a welcome boost for our local economy.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to increasing the supply of social housing and renewing ageing housing stock across NSW, and it’s great to see that investment delivering real outcomes here in Moruya.”

Homes NSW has partnered with Master Building Group to deliver the project, with works expected to be completed by late 2027. The build will support around 65 local jobs during construction.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has issued a Special Order for all vessels to stay at least 500 metres, and swimmers 100m, away from all Southern Right Whales in NSW waters. 

The Order will be in place until 30 November 2026 when the breeding and calving season ends in NSW. 

Southern Right Whales attract a lot of attention as they stay close to beaches and move slowly on the surface. Although incredibly rare, they are easily spotted when they visit. 

The Order comes after a mother and calf were recently spotted off Sydney, with curious boaters and locals venturing close to the pair.  

The NPWS citizen science project ‘Right Whale ID’ has tracked individual whales through their unique white facial callosities for the past 6 years. Research has found that even a single swimmer approaching too enthusiastically can trigger a significant negative behavioural response in the whale. 

Identifying one of the handful or so Southern Right Whales off the NSW Coast each whale season, as opposed to one of the 40,000 humpback whales, is fairly simple.  

Any slow moving, 14-16 metre long whale which is 500m or less off an ocean beach could be a Southern Right Whale. Identifying features include: 

• a distinctive V-shaped blow when they exhale 
• large broad body size, absence of a dorsal fin 
• white markings (skin growths) on their faces and heads known as ‘callosities’ 
• the tail/fluke is geometrically angular and usually black on both top and bottom sides. 

Unlike Humpbacks, mother and calf Southern Right Whales spend more than 90 per cent of their time in waters shallower than 20m, and often less than 500m from shore. While nursing they move very slowly, engaging in a still, energy-saving behaviour called ‘logging’, which is floating at the surface for long periods. 

These behaviours make them highly susceptible to disturbance from overly curious people swimming, paddling or boating too close for the mum’s comfort. 

Disturbances can cost the animals precious energy budget as their responses often include significant increases in swim distances as they try to evade them. The disturbance effect is seen in tracking data over subsequent days. 

NPWS asks people to comply with the keep-away distances to help protect these mammals. 

Members of the public, partner organisations and NPWS staff will collect witness accounts when people venture too close to Southern Right Whales and proceed with investigations where warranted. Non-compliance could result in fines or court appearances. 

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Marine Wildlife Project Officer Andy Marshall said “Doing the right thing by Southern Right Whales means the southeast Australian population has a better chance of recovering. I would like to think that future generations will be able to see these incredible animals and be awed by them, in the same way we are today.” 

Preserving a Historic Bridge

In 2024, the historic Allan truss bridge at Charleyong on the Nerriga Road was scheduled for demolition as part of the road upgrade. Braidwood & District Historical Society and others called for its preservation owing to its heritage value.

Built in 1901, the bridge replaced the long-used ford across the Mongarlowe River. That ford formed part of the Wool Road, an important transport route from the 1840s linking Braidwood and Goulburn to the port at Jervis Bay.