Entrepreneurial land sales needed, Kiama councillor Warren Steel says

On Tuesday night, Kiama councillor Dennis Seage moved a notice of motion that called on the council to scrap plans to sell the two areas of land, which would raise revenue for capital works.

"The Gerringong community is incensed by the idea of what the council is doing ... the message is that once gone, the land is gone forever," Cr Seage said.

"Blocking the view of the iconic church would not be a good look."

An initiative of Kiama council's confidential revenue subcommittee, more than 2700 signatures have been collected opposing the reclassification of the two areas.

However, Deputy Mayor Warren Steel said the community had to understand that the council needed to be "entrepreneurial" to keep rates down.

"For many years, we have lived off revenue from the Elambra estate and now we have to look at other sites," Cr Steel said.

Cr Neil Reilly said "entrepreneurial" was an interesting word.

"We need to be proactive, but also act on behalf of the community," Cr Reilly said.

"To me, entrepreneurial is reaching beyond that and doing things just because we can.

"The community does not want that land sold, we can't be entrepreneurial against the will of the people."

Cr Gavin McClure said many complaints relating to the sale of the land near the church was that the church would lose parking.

"Ultimately, it is not the church's land to park on," Cr McClure said.

Cr Seage said he would be open to suggestions that a section of the land in Willawa Ave neighbouring the church be considered for sale as long as the view of the church from Fern Street was protected.

He also requested the council's streets and reserves naming committee consider naming what would be a council reserve in front of the church in honour of former Kiama mayor Arthur Campbell, who died in January.

Councillors voted to not sell any part of the Blackwood Street land. aarnold@fairfaxmedia.com.au