Short term decisions have long term consequences, some of which are now evident. The very fact that many dwellings were allowed in the past to be constructed in low lying flood prone areas of Conjola is testament to this fact.

Unfortunately, this short term vision seems to be continuing with the calls by some groups for a permanent opening of the Lake to the sea waters. A review of the Australian Government funded CoastAdapt findings would indicate that the Conjola community would perhaps do better to agitate for a permanent sea water barrier to keep the sea water out, as it is now clear that large parts of the current low lying inhabited areas will be impacted by sea water at high tides in the decades ahead.

Storm surge and related actions will worsen these impacts. (CoastAdapt contains information and guidance to help people from all walks of life understand climate change and the responses available to manage the impacts).

Their specific projections for Conjola can be found at https://coastadapt.com.au/about-coastadapt

The Shoalhaven is one of Australia’s great secrets: good beaches, beautiful scenery, friendly people, and a quiet escape where you can recharge.

At Christmas, Jen and I packed up the trailer, loaded up our bikes, boogie boards, and kayaks, and headed to the Shoalhaven for our Christmas and New Year break.

It was a carefree time with kids, family and friends: kayaking, beach cricket, board games, late sunsets and dinners, and plenty of my dad jokes to go around.

We made new friends and reacquainted with old ones – locals, holidaymakers staying at the caravan park, surf life savers and rural fire service members.

As I wrote about in the capital city newspapers this week and talk about on national TV, my time in the Shoalhaven was real, honest and a friendly, encouraging reminder of who I work for.

So thank you again for your warm welcome to me and my family. We’ll be back.

With this current LNP Federal Government in chaos and a looming election in May, now more than ever it will be important for the Gilmore electorate to seriously consider who they wish to represent them for the next term of government.  

Politics influences the daily lives of its citizens regardless of their socioeconomic, race and ethnic backgrounds. How has this current government conducted itself in our society and how does it stand up to the ethical and social obligations that it has for the people.

I’m afraid that it has failed miserably.  The LNP does not treat this electorate seriously enough as to date, has not endorsed a candidate, whoever it may be, blatantly disregarding its members and constituents in the electorate.  

After many years of LNP representation in office the electorate of Gilmore struggles still with high unemployment, cuts to penalty rates, casualization of jobs, labor hire providers, lack of proper medical facilities and staff, schools not funded correctly and loss of public services that are being outsourced to private enterprises.

They were bought kicking and screaming to a Banking Royal Commission, Aged Care Quality and Safety as well as a Federal ICAC. Our public transport infrastructure is nonexistent. Their time is over and we need to rebuild this nation and electorate back to a society that is inclusive, fair, just, sustainable and ethical.