There's been a massive amount of interest in Aoyuan's new land release at Moss Vale.
Stage one of the Ashbourne project has now completely sold out.
A total of 143 land lots were snapped up via an online virtual launch in late August and on Saturday.
Of these lots, 85 - ranging from 450sqm to 1400sqm - sold out in just four hours, equating to more than $40 million dollars worth of sales.
We're being told 35 sold in the first 30 minutes.
Image: Aoyuan
The Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival that was planned for later this month has been cancelled amid continued uncertainty about whether all people are able to attend major cultural events.
But in its place a different sort of festival will be held at the Moss Vale Showground at the end of February.
Katrina Hill-Cooper from the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association said the February event was all about re-setting after the difficulties of the past couple of years, and making a fresh start.
It will also celebrate the best food and wine the Southern Highlands has to offer.
"What we wanted to do was to do something post-COVID to try and get everybody, sort of, back on track, something a little bit exciting," Ms Hill-Cooper said.
"It's the last weekend of summer, it's just before uni goes back in March, so we wanted a food and wine catch up event."
Ms Hill-Cooper said the event on the weekend of February 26 and 27 would have a different feel to the region's usual food and wine festival.
"It will have new experiences, there'll be a focus on food and locally produced providores and restaurant experiences and purchasing tickets and going to the providores of your choice - it's quite a different format," she explained.
Association president Jean-Marie Simart said the food and wine festival was "an ideal way to start 2022".
“Already considered a must-do annual pilgrimage for food and wine disciples, the festival has been re-imagined with a wonderful new layout to make it more enjoyable than ever to engage with our growers, winemakers, chefs, distillers and brewers."
He said the new format in the wide open spaces and fresh air of Moss Vale Showgrounds would offer a backdrop of rolling green hills, giving a real sense of why so many growers were passionate about farming in the Southern Highlands.
The alfresco experience will include an avenue of restaurants, picnic grounds, brewers’ garden and produce marketplace, as well as free, live entertainment and Olssons Salt Sessions chef workshops.
Images: Destination NSW, Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association
A woman will face court today on drug supply offences following a strike force investigation in the Southern Highlands.
In February 2020, Strike Force Grantown was established by investigators from The Hume Police District to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Southern Highlands.
Following extensive inquiries, shortly after 1pm on Friday (15 May 2020), police stopped a white Mazda 3 sedan on the Hume Highway at Alpine, north of Mittagong.
The driver, a 40-year-old man, allegedly returned a positive roadside drug test for cocaine and methylamphetamine and was found in possession of more than $5,000 cash.
He was arrested and taken to Southern Highlands Police Station, where he allegedly attempted to dispose of almost 10 grams of crystal methylamphetamine that was secreted in his pants.
A short time later, investigators attended a home on Berrima Road, Moss Vale, and arrested a 25-year-old woman.
A search warrant was executed at the woman’s home, with officers allegedly seizing ‘ice’, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, cash, replica pistol, air rifle and ammunition.
The 40-year-old man was charged with:
He was refused bail and appeared in Wollongong Local Court via AVL on Saturday 16 May 2020, where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Goulburn Local Court on 10 June 2020.
The 25-year-old woman was charged with:
She was refused bail and is due to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Monday 18 May 2020).
Inquiries are continuing.
Photos: NSW Police
Two men have been charged over the alleged serious assault of a man in Moss Vale last weekend.
The victim was recording on his mobile along Argyle Street before allegedly being attacked by the pair.
Police allege the 30-year-old was kicked in the face and held down until he deleted the recording before the offenders fled.
The victim required surgery for facial fractures.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives executed search warrants at a home in Moss Vale and a home in Bowral on Wednesday where they seized a number of items for forensic examination.
Police arrested the two men, aged 19 and 20 when they attended Southern Highlands Police Station yesterday.
Both were charged with affray, cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent and take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage.
The pair were granted strict conditional bail and will front Moss Vale Local Court next month.
Image: Travis Winks
A nasty accident in Moss Vale left a car badly damaged but the driver uninjured.
It happened Saturday night - a BMW crashing on Mount Broughton Road.
Given the extent of the damage to the vehicle it's amazing the driver was able to walk away.
The Fire and Rescue Moss Vale crew attended the scene and issued a reminder to slow down at night and always keep a look out for wildlife on our roads, as a sudden swerve can be dangerous.
Photo: Fire and Rescue Moss Vale
After a lengthy layoff due to covid19, the Cockatoo Run will be returning to the Southern Highlands on December 5.
At full capacity the train will carry around 200 passengers, with stops at Summit Tank in the Illawarra, Robertson and Moss Vale along the way.
East Coast Heritage Rail General Manager James Bushell said it's great for local tourism.
"People from Robertson and Moss Vale have commented to us, how every train that we bring in has great benefits for the restaurants and the places people visit,"he said.
Tickets are still available.
Image: East Coast Heritage Rail
The GHD group is holding a community engagement session about its proposal to build a recycling and reprocessing facility at Moss Vale
If approved the facility would be situated in the enterprise zone at 74 - 76 Beaconsfield Road.
GHD is currently in the final stages of preparing the Environmental Impact Statement.
The Community engagement session is happening at the Moss Vale Services Club on Thursday November 18 between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.
To register click here .
Image: GHD
The BDCU Alliance Bank is collecting unwrapped gifts underneath its Christmas Giving trees in Bowral and Moss Vale.
The gifts will be passed on to the Salvation Army and handed out at the Christmas Drive thru at the Southern Highlands Christian School on December 23.
Head of Marketing and Community Matt Sewell said they're hoping to support people doing it tough.
"We're really looking for teen gifts, which we often struggle with,
"Also under fives,"Mr. Sewell said.
Image: BDCU Alliance Bank
Emergency services are at the scene of a fire in Moss Vale.
Large amounts of smoke were seen coming from the blaze and motorists warned to take care.
NSW Fire and Rescue says it's in a home on Clarence Street and was well alight when they arrived about an hour ago.
Fire fighters from Moss Vale and Bowral are on the ground along with police.
It's understood powerlines have also come down across the road.
Photo supplied
UPDATE:
A home at Moss Vale has been completely gutted by fire.
Fire crews rushed to the top of Clarence Street just before 7 this morning where they found a two storey weatherboard home engulfed in flames.
Fortunately no one was at home at the time.
Fire and Rescue Duty Commander Dean Campbell says an investigation will be carried out to figure out the cause of the blaze.
Wingecarribee Council's Interim Administrator had decided to put the Lackey Park Regional Sporting Hub project on hold until a Sports Facility Strategy is completed.
Viv May told yesterday's council meeting that he's not convinced Lackey Park is the best spot for the project.
"I think we need to ask the community about where a regional sporting hub sits in the wishlist against a regional aquatic facility .
"I'm told schools cram into Bowral Pool, now that Mittagong is closed, and no one's happy,'' Mr May said.
Wingecarribee Council approved a concept masterplan for the project back in November last year.
Image: Wingecarribee Council
Some relief for opponents of two controversial developments in the Highlands.
Wingecarribee Council has placed six month interim heritage orders on properties at 2 and 4 Myrtle Street Bowral and Karingal at 26 Elizabeth Street in Moss Vale.
It means proposals to build townhouses won't be able to proceed for six months.
David Hayman from the Elizabeth Street Action Group said development needs to be carefully managed in the shire.
"We love living in the Highlands, we love the feeling of space and the country feel,
"We need to ensure we're not knocking down and getting rid of our own character,"Mr. Hayman said.
Image: Elizabeth Street Action Group
A day and a half old calf called Kevin can thank his lucky stars for the skill and determination of Wingecarribee and Moss Vale SES units.
Kevin had slipped down a steep embankment into a creek shortly after he was born and Southern Highlands SES crews were called in the rescue him from his predicament.
Although a bit cold and tired, the little bloke was reunited with his mum in a warm sunny paddock, none the worse for wear.
Images; Wingecarribee SES
A Mittagong man has been charged in connection with the alleged stabbing of another man in Moss Vale.
Just after 8pm on Friday August 6, Emergency Services were called to Parkes Road, after reports of a brawl.
Police rushed to the scene and found a 22-year-old man with stab wounds to his back.
He was treated at the scene by Paramedics before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a serious condition.
He has since been discharged.
Strike Force Briwood was set up to to investigate the incident.
About 2:30pm yesterday a man was arrested at a motel in Lagoon Street, Goulburn.
During a search, Officers found a quantity of methylamphetamine.
The 21-year-old was taken to Goulburn Police Station and charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possess prohibited drug, and not comply with noticed direction – COVID-19.
The Mittagong man has been refused bail and will appear at Goulburn Local Court today.
Image: Southern Highlands Police
Highlands GP Dr. Vince Roche has received a Rural Medical Service Award for 35 years of service to the communities of Bundanoon, Moss Vale and Bowral.
He was one of six GP's to be recognised at the opening night of the digital 2021 Rural GPs Conference.
Dr. Roche has explained how he got into medicine all those years ago.
"A good story, I've got family who are doctors and I wanted to be an architect or engineer,
"They got a bit of a shock when the entries for the universities were published and they found out I was doing medicine,"Dr. Roche said.
Image: Southern Medical Centre
Wingecarribee Council will be holding an information session about the proposed Moss Vale Bypass.
Council’s Director of Service and Project Delivery, Ms Karin Targa said the project is a crucial step in alleviating traffic congestion and also supporting the the Southern Highlands Innovation Park.
The session will be held at the Moss Vale Civic Centre on Tuesday February 22 between 6 and 7pm.
It will provide residents with an opportunity to find out more about the project.
To register click here
Image: Wingecarribee Council
The Dolphins have lured another player to Redcliffe for its inaugural NRL season in 2023.
Moss Vale junior and Parramatta forward Ray Stone has signed a two year deal with the new club.
He's the second NRL signing for the new club.
The Eels have also lost Reed Mahoney to the Bulldogs.
Image: Dolphins NRL
Black Jack crew member Moss Vale's Will McCarthy is celebrating a Sydney to Hobart victory.
The 100 foot supermaxi, owned by Peter Harburg and skippered by Mark Bradford took line honours in the iconic blue water classic in a time of two days, 12 hours, 37 minutes and 17 seconds.
It was the slowest winning time recorded in the Sydney to Hobart event since Nicorette sailed to victory in 2004.
Law Connect crossed the finish line on the Derwent River in second place.
Scallywag arrived at Constitution Dock in third position.
Images: Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Wingecarribee Council's Interim Administrator Viv May is calling on feedback from residents about a proposal to modify the recently refurbished Council Chambers.
Mr May believes the changes would make the room more welcoming and practical.
"Since chairing my first meeting of Council under Administration I have felt the refurbished Chambers leave a lot to be desired,
“In my opinion the room creates a distinct divide between Council and the community,"Mr. May said.
The work would involve removing the podium, changing the levels within the room and reconfiguring the communication and information hardware
This would cost around $40,000.
Unless contrary views are received by the end of December, Mr. May will be instructing Council to undertake the changes in time for the first meeting of next year.
To contact Mr. May email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Image: Wingecarribee Council
The Moss Vale Football Club have opened their new clubhouse at the Church Road playing fields.
It's all been made possible after 12 years of campaigning, funds raised from registrations and the canteen, aswell as State Government grants.
Club Administrator Jennifer Wattel said it's great news for the club.
"We've got brand new change rooms, toilets and referee rooms,
"There's also a viewing area upstairs that looks out over the fields,"Ms. Wattel said.
Image: Moss Vale Football Club
Tafe NSW is introducing a new course at it's Moss Vale campus to prepare people for work in the pet care industry.
Head Teacher Jenny O'Donnell said the pandemic has lead to an increase in pet ownership across the Southern Highlands.
"There's probably been the biggest increase in demand since I've been in the industry,"she said.
The course which is funded by job trainer is called Statement of Attainment in Introduction to Working in the Pet Industry.
It starts on November 5.
Image: Tafe NSW
The owners of the old Central Hotel in Moss Vale have submitted an application for a liquor licence through the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.
Wingecarribee Council is currently reviewing development consents and will be working with all relevant parties to progress the application.
The hotel has been closed since 2013 and a development application to build a supermarket was knocked back.
Brigid Kennedy from the Moss Vale Rural and Chamber of Commerce believes it will add some vitality to that section of town.
"I don't know the owners well, but I'm hoping they will do a beautiful job of resurrecting, a lovely historical part of Moss Vale, that has been a blot on the landscape for far too long,"Ms. Kennedy said.
Image: Central Hotel Moss Vale
There was plenty of feeling at a recent community engagement session regarding a proposal to build a large plastic recycling facility on Beaconsfield Road in Moss Vale.
Around 200 people attended the meeting at the Moss Vale Services Club.
Residents claim they had to write their questions out beforehand and then representatives from Plasrefine chose which ones they wanted to answer.
Local resident David Baxter said they have a number of concerns which need to be addressed.
"Mostly about the pollution that it could cause and water issues,
"The traffic is probably the biggest concern,"Mr. Baxter said.
Image: Plasrefine Recycling Pty Ltd
Travel from Sydney to regional parts of New South Wales will go ahead once the state reaches 80-percent covid vaccination.
That will likely be around the start of November and will mean the Southern Highlands Food and Wine Festival will go ahead.
It's scheduled to take place at the Moss Vale Showground on November 27 and 28.
However Food and Wine Association President Jean Marie Simart is still concerned about businesses being responsible for checking if people are fully vaccinated.
"I think there will be a lot of problems and I don't think businesses are properly equipped to deal with it," he said.
Image: Southern Highlands Food & Wine Festival
Tributes are flowing for former Moss Vale Fire and Rescue NSW Captain Barry Whatman who recently passed away.
Mr. Whatman spent more than more than 33 years in Moss Vale as a firefighter and 15 of those were as Captain.
He lived on Elizabeth Street, about 400 metres from the station.
Current Station Captain Ian Thorpe at 385 Moss Vale said Barry had a number of outstanding qualities and attributes.
"He was a great Captain, leader and communicator,
"You knew if Barry was telling you something, that was they way it was done,"he said.
Image: Ian Thorpe 385 Moss Vale
After 18 months of battling through COVID restrictions, Moss Vale's Spanish-themed restaurant Carca Restobar is finally about to have an official opening.
And what an opening it will be, with the Spanish Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Alicia Moral Revilla, accepting an invitation to do the honours on December 10th.
Chef and co-owner Ian Armstrong said the night will feature Spanish guitar, flamenco dancing and some food surprises in a three-course banquet.
"Half-way through the main course will be what we recall the parade of pigs, which is where the chefs come out with the suckling pigs that they've cooked for the night, nd we expect to be cooking three or four pigs for our guests," he said.
This is the fourth attempt at an official opening for the restaurant that Mr Armstrong and and co-owner Angelo Oyales opened during the first COVID lockdown in April last year and went straight into takeaway and home delivery service.
“It was a precarious time to open a restaurant back then," Mr Armstrong said.
"Friends said we were mad, but we believed in what we were doing and were committed to realising our dream of having a Spanish inspired venue here on the Highlands,” he said.
Mr Oyales had nothing but praise for the locals who supported the restaurant since the opening.
“Truly, if it was not for the great people of the Highlands, those that came by to order take away or have the opportunity to dine with us, we would have closed the doors,” he said.
Image: Carca Restobar
The Moss Vale Basketball Association will be setting up a fundraising page in an effort to progress their development application for a new stadium.
It comes after Council's Interim Administrator declined a request for additional funding.
Viv May also told last night's meeting that no further monies would be spent until council developed a community and recreational facilities strategy.
Association Director Paul Barcicki said they'll just have to move on.
"It puts us in a very difficult position for the next election cycle,
"There's a significant amount of funding being offered by the Government at the moment, but without a DA, it's just an idea,"Mr. Barcicki said.
Image: Moss Vale Basketball Stadium
UPDATE: The boy has been found safe and well.
Police are trying to find a teenager who's gone missing missing from Colo Vale.
13 year old Bailey Smith, was last seen leaving a home on Ebony Place, about 4.30pm yesterday.
Southern Highlands Police were called today, after he failed to return home.
They're concerned for Bailey’s welfare due to his young age.
There have been reports he may have been in the Moss Vale area about 10am today.
Bailey is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160 centimetres tall, of thin build and with short brown hair.
He was last seen wearing a black coloured ‘Rolling Stones’ t-shirt, navy trackpants and black shoes.
Anyone with information about Bailey’s whereabouts is being asked to contact Southern Highlands Police on 4869 7899 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Image: NSW Police
The public toilets in Clarence Street in Moss Vale will be closed for the next few months for refurbishment work.
That includes replacing all bathroom fixtures and tiling, removing existing skylights and installing new electrical and solar lighting,
Also replacing roofing and guttering, general repainting and restoration of the garden beds.
The project will start on Thursday and should be completed by May.
People can alternatively use the public toilets in Leighton Gardens.
Image: Google Maps
Wingecarribee Council has accepted a tender for detailed designs to be prepared for Stage one of the Moss Vale Bypass.
The work will be carried out by MU Group Pty Ltd at a cost of $1.56 million dollars and should be completed by June 2023.
Council's General Manager Lisa Miscamble has spoken about the importance of the project for the region
“A Bypass for Moss Vale has the potential to deliver enormous transport benefits to the Southern Highlands and provide a significant stimulus to the local economy,”she said.
Image: Wingecarribee Council
Three drivers have allegedly been caught drink driving in Moss Vale as part of Operation Chrome held over the weekend.
Just before 10pm last Friday a p1 provisional driver was stopped on Suttor Road.
The 20 year old woman returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.059.
She and her two friends, also aged 20, each copped $3000 fines for allegedly breaking the public health orders.
In the second incident, just before 11 on Saturday, a 37 year old man was stopped on Argyle Street and returned a mid range reading of 0.103.
And in the third, on Sunday night, just after 9, another 37 year old man was also stopped on Argyle Street.
He returned a mid range reading of 0.106.
All drivers had their licences suspended.
Police will be continuing to patrol our rural roads to keep our communities safe from drink drivers.
Image credit: Hume Police District
Authorities can't say at this stage how long it will be before passenger rail services will resume from Moss Vale after a freight train derailed this morning.
The train jumped the tracks and took out a line of fencing.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation is currently on scene
As a result of the derailment, no trains are running on the Southern Highlands Line between Moss Vale and Campbelltown.
Passengers are advised to allow plenty of extra travel time, listen to announcements and check information displays for service updates.
Image credit: Graeme Day
Emergency Services are at the scene of a two vehicle crash on Nowra Road in Moss Vale.
Two people have minor injuries and are expected to be taken to Bowral Hospital.
One has shoulder pain, the other neck pain
Motorists are being asked to exercise caution.
Image: Ambulance NSW