According to the Draft Illawarra Regional Growth Plan for 2031, over the next 15 years 65,000 residents are set to move into Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven.

There will need to be an extra 45,000 homes built to house them.

The majority of these new homes are expected to be supplied by residential developments in West Dapto, Nowra and Dunmore Hills however, Kiama alone is expected to absorb 3600 new homes. 

These would be made up of single homes, multi-house dwellings and apartments with 1900 proposed to go into new development sites in available green space,  67per cent more than what council had accounted for.

Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said this figure was ‘‘far in excess’’ of what was estimated in the strategic planning projections, which only accounts for ‘‘1285 allotments’’ in the potentially available greenfield.

‘‘Historically, the demand hasn’t been as high as what they are suggesting it to be here [in Kiama]… we don’t think it will be that high.

‘‘It could cause some disruption in terms of our boundaries to our towns and villages. We don’t want to see our villages expand exponentially and lose their character,’’ he said.

‘‘We are still in discussion about coming up with a figure that will be manageable, won’t disrupt the character of the area and will enable us to meet the standards they want to set.’’

Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward said the old Bombo Quarry was an ideal area for new ‘‘high and medium density’’ residential.

‘‘That quarry is coming to the end of its life and that’s the sort of area where I think people can see significant growth and help address some of the housing shortages,’’ Mr Ward said.

‘‘But I remain absolutely focused on protecting the southern boundary of Gerringong. I never want to see the southern boundary of Gerringong become the northern boundary of Gerroa and while I am the local member it won’t.’’ 

‘‘Greenfield’’ areas identified in the draft plan include Jamberro, South Kiama, South Gerringong and Spring Creek.

Visiting the region for the first time, Minister for Environment and Heritage Mark Speakman discussed the draft growth plan with council and was briefed on Kiama’s heritage projects and concerns, including the $1million   Barroul House upgrade at Kiama Hospital.

‘‘The Heritage Act has been around since 1977 and I anticipate in the term of this Parliament we will be looking for an overhaul of that Act,’’ he said.

‘‘This means prioritising things that the general public consider of heritage value and if there is unnecessary red tape.

‘‘I have also heard about the problems some Kiama churches have in complying with heritage laws.’’

Other discussions included ‘‘conflicting’’ legislation such as the current sand extraction works at Gerroa’s Seven Mile Beach within the boundaries of ‘‘natural high conservation’’ value, as well as funding opportunities for the newly adopted Minnamurra River Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Kiama Independent