More on Akuna St
Westpac to close p3
Extra beer and jobs
p3
p5
New Tourism Committee
New faces on Terralong p7
p13
16 JULY 2022
South Kiama rezoning approved Kiama Council has been notified that, after an independent review of the Department’s decision, the Minister for Planning has approved the 40ha South Kiama Planning Proposal. The Planning Proposal for 444 lots, rejected twice by councillors and opposed by Central Kiama Precinct and the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward, was approved by the Department in October. However before it was gazetted, an appeal to the then Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, led to the unusual step of an independent review being undertaken. The developer, Graham Morcom of White Construc-
tions, always expected this outcome. “They need the land down there, and the quicker it gets on the market the better,” he says. A site specific Development Control Plan will need to be devised for the land before a DA can be lodged. The land, between Weir St and Saddleback Mountain Road, was identified for potential development in the Kiama Urban Strategy if needed. Mayor Neil Reilly and Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma have both voiced their disappointment with the decision. “Kiama Council wants to work with the NSW Govern-
ment on an alternative to the current greenfield development attitude that permits unsuitable, unsustainable and unnecessary sprawl,” says Mayor Reilly. “This will deliver poor social and health outcomes. The development is car dependant for almost every need, including schooling and shopping, leaving residents without cars isolated.” Cllr Draisma says if the South Kiama Development proceeds, then significant pressure will be put on roads, schools, and community infrastructure. “This formed the basis of community and Council objections, and we will con-
tinue to pressure the NSW government to address these concerns.” The NSW Government advice and report of the independent review will be considered at the Council Meeting next Tuesday, 19 July. Mark Greaves of the Central Precinct says, “The decision to approve the rezoning is disappointing, but not surprising. Kiama Council has been to the NSW and Federal Gov- for grant funding.” “Many people gave up a given another $1 million in ernments for the injection of In this year’s budget, Coun- lot of their time through the State and Federal disaster funding they have given us, cil only has $40,000 set aside proposal stage identifying the relief funding, in addition to and we want to get the most for flood related work, and reasons why this proposal the $1 million it was awardvalue out of it,” she says. that is for detailed design and was unsuitable. ed after the March weather “We have these recurrent drawings to implement the “Kiama residents are event. issues every time it rains. Jamberoo and Gerringong aware that development will While Council still has “We need to get strategic flood study. occur. It is disappointing that much to do clearing up dam- about the ones that are really Ms Stroud says that some planning decisions are made age from these storm events, impacting the most and work of the new money may be by bureaucrats hundreds of CEO Jane Stroud is keen out what are our longer term used to accelerate the imple- kilometres away that totally to try and use some of the plans are to fix them. mention of these measures. differ from local planning demoney to take proactive steps “Only then can we be “We need a similar plan for cisions and local community to improve the situation. shovel ready, which is the all the other areas, both concerns. continued on p8 “We’re incredibly grateful major requirement to apply “The community can look
Need to prepare for future flooding
Phone: 4232 2757 21B Barney Street, KIAMA
After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
Fax: 4232 2676 ksmr@bigpond.com
forward to being involved in the next planning stages.” Mr Ward, who was instrumental in getting the review undertaken, says, “The Coalition came to office promising to return planning powers back to local communities. “Today’s decision by the Minister for Planning is a total betrayal of this promise and treats the concerns of our local people with nothing but contempt. “This decision flies in the face of the Government’s own regional strategy which makes specific reference for the need for a housing strategy and the need to protect village character. “The genuine concerns of locals was not opposition to development for the sake of it. Our concerns were about the capacity of local infrastructure to support such a significant increase in population.
“As a local who grew up and has lived in our community my entire life, I am fed up with seeing the overdevelopment of our region. If the Government thinks this is the last they will hear about this decision, then they are mistaken. “My focus will now turn to the development application stage in an effort to mitigate the impact of Sydney-centric decision making by politicians who clearly don’t care and a department that has ignored its own strategies.” The Department says it has made minor changes to the proposal to address concerns and the matters raised by the independent review can be addressed by: • further master planning • preparing a development control plan • developing a development application assessment process.
ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS