The Bugle
27 July 2019
A fortnightly celebration of peope and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Council overruled by Planning Panel The Southern Planning Panel (formerly known as the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel) has ruled that the planning proposal to rezone a strip of land west of the Highway, between the High School and Weir St (see right), should proceed through the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment’s Gateway process. If approved, it would create a new suburb, twice the size of Kiama Heights. The land is included in the Kiama Urban Strategy, as a last resort ‘if insuffiencent dwelling numbers are available’. The Panel’s determination was made after the developer, White Constructions, appealed Council’s 7:1 rejection of the proposal, ‘at this time’, at its March meeting. As happened with Jamberoo’s Golden Valley Way development, Council has accepted the role of being the Planning Proposal Authority (PPA). The PPA is responsible for liaising with the developer and consulting with public authorities and the community over the proposal before it is sent to the Department of Planning for a Gateway determination. The vote on whether to accept this role was split 5:4, with councillors divided on the merits of Council conducting the process. “By keeping the process in house the councillors will have some influence over the
recommendations that go to the Department for determination,” says Mayor Mark Honey. In arguing against taking up the role as PPA, Councillor Reilly said, “To aid and abet in this process would offer no opportunity for Council to follow up its opposition to the planning proposal. “We are advised that we must grow because we must grow. Growth for growth’s sake is the ideology of a cancer cell.” Councillors are particularly concerned about the impact of traffic travelling through the Addos intersection and past the High School. Significant wastewater upgrades will also be necessary. Peter O’Neill says the Central Precinctis disappointed by the Panel’s decision. “We and the Council are convinced we could meet the housing targets without it.” The owners are seeking to change the largely rural landscape (RU2) zoning of the 40ha (99 acres) site to low density residential (R2). After meeting with Council staff and the developer, as well as consulting with the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment, the Panel concluded that the proposal met the necessary Strategic Merit Test and the Site Specific Merit Tests to enable it to proceed. In its decision, the Panel said it was, “not convinced Continued on p16
HIGHWAY
Inside this issue Fern St Gallery wins Tourism award p 3
KENDALLS BEACH
Hollywood star on location here p 3
RAILWAY LINE
EASTS BEACH PROJECT SITE
Community projects need your vote p 9 KIAMA HEIGHTS
Gerringong Surf School appeals DA decision Rusty Moran of Gerringong Surf School says his decision to appeal to the Land & Environment Court about some of the conditions on his DA to operate at Gerroa was done a last resort. “The conditions of the consent prohibit operating in Zone A [the northern end] for 7 and a half months of the year,” he says. “They will make my business unviable to operate.” He says he first had meetings with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, General Manager and Director Environment
Phone: 42322757
21B Barney Street, KIAMA After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
Become a member for the 2020 Show p 11
Rusty Moran during the Gerringong Christmas Parade
Services to seek their help in effecting a conciliation, but was told it was inappropriate for them to do so. He has also sought to build bridges with other groups
Fax: 4232 2676 ksmr@bigpond.com
using the beach, to find a way for it to work for everyone. “I have made every effort possible to find a middle ground.” Continued on p6
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
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PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS