Residents have until 4pm on Monday, July 24 to provide written submissions to Kiama council about the proposed reclassification and rezoning of parts of Iluka Reserve. The original deadline was July 10. 

Council’s acting general manager Kerry McMurray recently said council is proposing to rezone and reclassify part of Iluka Reserve so that it can be used for housing. Council has proposed the land would be suitable for nine residential lots and open space for the remainder of the reserve. 

The plan is a contentious issue among many residents, who claim the 1.8 hectare site should be retained as open space. 

Kiama Downs resident David Connolly described council’s decision to rezone the land from RE1 Public Recreation to R2 Low Density Residential as a “one hit financial wonder”.

“With the quarry redevelopment coming, this will mean a large amount of green space has been removed, resulting in an intensification of use on what little is left,” he recently told Fairfax Media. “Which reserve gets sold next? It's a financial loser from the start.”

He urged residents to lodge a submission, believing the site was “crucial to the future of the town”, and claiming that approval may result in a precedent being set. 

Last year, Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said the reserve was “a totally under-utilised resource at this stage, but if it was enhanced and encouraged people to use it, that would be terrific”. 

Mr Connolly recently submitted a petition to Kiama MP Gareth Ward with about 500 signatures to save Iluka Reserve; an online version had 184 signatures. 

The plans can be viewed at www.kiama.nsw.gov.au.

Written submissions regarding two other planning proposals for Irvine Street, Kiama and O’Connell Place, Gerringong can also be made until 4pm on July 24.

Council is hosting a public hearing to discuss all three planning proposals at its administration building at 7pm on Monday, July 3. 

More details on the public hearing: 4232 0444.