The Bugle 19 November 2016
A fortnightly celebration of people 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
Keeping our character Councillors to make decisions on all medium density residential and sensitive site DAs Strong feelings within the community about inappropriate development have now led to councillors voting unanimously to be the approvers of all future medium density residential development applications, as well as any that have the potential to detract from important local landscapes. The motions, both by Deputy Mayor Kathy Rice, followed discussion of a DA for the southern part of the 617 Motel site on Manning St and a call for Neil Reilly for more information on the process that had resulted in the approval of a large residential development on Werri Headland, without any consultation with councillors. The latter development was approved by Council officers in 2010, as was the subsequent downsizing in profile and size which is currently being built. Councillor Reilly says along with residents he is dismayed at the disfigurement of the highly visible coastal headland. He raised the prospect of a ‘stop order’ being issued to halt the work, which is many months into progress, if the processes and determinations were not acceptable. The Headland is particularly iconic, given its dominance of Gerringong and
prominence in Lloyd Rees’ work. Moves have been mooted to protect his family’s simple house, on Werri Lagoon with its views of the unspolit Headland. As one Werri local told The Bugle, “It is a pox on the landscape. Sydney people come down here and don’t worry about the impact of their houses on the landscape. “There is no way Council would let me build a house there, but if you’ve got money you seem to be able to do anything.” The discussion on the proposal to construct four dwellings at 132 Manning St, which will subsequently be divided by strata, centred on an arrangement which had been struck by the developer and the owners of a neighbouring property to overcome shadowing issues. A modified plan addressed this and character issues in the design. Councillor Matt Brown argued the negotiation had arrived at an outcome both parties were happy with and should be approved. Councillor Andrew Sloan said the development still had questionable elements that should be considered by Council once staff had had time to make a proper assessment. The DA was lodged prior
Inside this issue False start for Iluka Gateway approval p3
Kiama’s finances healthy p5
to the adoption of the new DCP, which clearly outlines new requirements for such medium density developments. The new DCP was introduced largely in response to a number of sideward facing medium density developments on Manning St which were approved without reference to Council. The matter was an important issue in the recent Council election, due to community concerns about the loss of the Kiama LGA’s unique character if these type of developments were allowed to be built. Councillor Reilly thinks there should be a review into the conditions under which DAs are brought before Council. “I think that all developments over $1 million should have to be decided on by councillors rather than approved by staff,” he says.
Finding a solution for Cedar Grove access While all councillors expressed concern at the hazard of having only one entrance to Cedar Grove II, most are sceptical a proposal to rezone a neighbouring parcel of land residential would be the way to achieve the outcome. The proposal, backed by Councillor Warren Steel, is that in return for the developer getting the right for a twenty lot sub-division, the developer would provide an alternate entry into Cedar Grove II at no cost to Council. While the proposal was referred to staff for assessment, it is unlikely to be a solution for a variety of reasons, particularly the land being outside of the Kiama border and not earmarked in the Urban Strategy. At Public Access, Cedar Grove resident Mike Yalden spoke about the incidents that have already happened and the potential for gridlock in an emergency. Mayor Mark Honey agrees and says he will also have staff look into developing emergency access routes. “Even if this proposal is the solution, it will take years to come to fruition,” he says. “We need to prepare now.”
Australia Day nominations closing p9
School selling Christmas trees p9
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