A public meeting held by the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has resulted in another deferral for Kiama’s Akuna Street development – the second for the controversial CBD site.
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The panel of three, were unanimous in their decision.
Panelist Alison McCabe described the plans for Akuna Street as “one of three very major developments we have seen in Kiama over the last two years”.
“It is critical the built form and architectural outcome is really very good, because it’s going to be here forever,” McCabe said.
“While we’re conscious of the fact that this delays the application, we’re also very keen to make sure that we get the outcome right and that means taking that little bit of extra time.
“It has been very useful hearing from the community and trying to understand the community’s concerns.
“There are some areas that I do disagree with, I think in terms of a vibrant, commercial centre, it is important that there is residential accommodation in close proximity to those commercial areas, so the fact this development is providing for a range of residential accommodation as well as some more commercial development is a good thing.”
About 100 people gathered at The Pavilion Kiama from midday for the public meeting.
A number of people spoke, with the majority speaking out against the proposal.
Some of the issues raised by concerned community members included the preservation of existing trees, traffic flow, views and the preservation of the seaside town’s character.
Central Kiama Precinct president Peter O'Neill is not in favour of the $31.146 million development in its current form.
“There are a number of issues where I don’t feel it complies with either state legislation or council’s DCP or LEP,” he said.
“The communal open space for this area should be 1,798 square metres, however, there’s a shortfall of 44 per cent, I think that’s significant.
“That’s justified on the grounds that it’s in close proximity to public parks, which I don’t think negates the need for their own communal open space.”
Mr O’Neill also raised the issue of ceiling and building heights.
“The apartment design guidelines state the ground and first floor should be provided with a 3.3 metre height, however, the residential units on this do not provide this, they are only 2.7 metres,” he said.
“That’s justified by saying they’re residential units, however, this is meant to be a shop top housing development and they’re meant to provide dwellings on the ground level.
“The building height itself, all the buildings exceed the 11-metre height limit, I think some by 2.38 metres without any real adequate explanation.”
Mr O’Neill went on to say the proposal was an overdevelopment of the site.
“We feel as longterm residents of Kiama, this will be one of the dominant sites in Kiama,” he said.
“The design needs to reflect the numerous heritage buildings surrounding it.
“It is basically a cookie-cutter design that displays no acknowledgement of its setting and seeks to dominate the surrounding area.”
Resident Chris Lovett spoke in favour of the development.
“There seems to be a lot of negativity, which doesn’t seem to be completely justified,” he said.
“If council’s regulations are not being met then that needs to be addressed, but a lot of complaints I hear don’t seem to have much justification.
“I have lived in the Kiama are for more than 20 years and the impression I am getting is – my son is young – there isn’t much available in Kiama in terms of single-bed apartments that are reasonably priced.”
Mr Lovett said he knew of young people who would love to live in Kiama, but struggled to afford the high price tags on many of the apartments and houses on the market.
“They can’t find anything affordable in the Kiama area. I do believe one and two-bedroom apartments are certainly going to appeal to those people,” he said.
