A petition calling on the state government to scrap plans to redevelop Killalea State Park has amassed thousands of signatures.
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Save The Farm, no tourist development for Killalea State Park was published on the online petition platform Change.org by Richard Berndt three days ago.
As of Sunday, it had attracted more than 3300 signatures.
The petition came hot on the heels of the announcement by Kiama MP Gareth Ward last week that the NSW Government had awarded a $6.5 million grant to upgrade the site, run by the Reflections Holiday Parks group which will invest $4.4 million into the project.
As well as 15 luxury cabins and the function centre, the redevelopment would include 53 full-serviced campsites, a new playground, walking trails and outdoor recreational equipment.
Mr Ward said the funding would help "create a signature tourism attraction for the community".
The plan was met with uproar from members of the community, who have fought hard over the past 12 years to protect the environmentally sensitive land from tourism development.
In 2007 the Save Killalea Alliance was formed to fight a $35 million development that would have seen 106 accommodation lodges built on the site.
In the petition, Mr Berndt demands the government abandon the controversial development.
"Killalea State Park was donated to the public as a surfing reserve, to be conserved for future generations and avoid development.
"We like it as it is; beautiful, unspoiled and affordable.
"We object to the use of this public space being developed for private interest, and with a massive donation of public funds no less.
"Why a grant for what appears to be a commercial enterprise? A 200-seat function centre/venue would regularly bring well over 100 cars in and out - overwhelming the site and surrounding residential areas."
Mr Berndt has also created a Facebook group to bring together concerned residents over the issue.
In other action, Independent Shellharbour councillor Peter Moran has organised a Save Killalea meeting on November 3 at 11am.
He said the purpose of the meeting, which will take place at the site, was to gauge public interest in the issue, test support for different parts of the proposal and to seek out members who would be prepared to be on a Save Killalea Committee.
"Community consultation should be foremost when considering significant changes to such an iconic park," Cr Moran said.
"So far plans and funding applications have been developed in secret.
"This secrecy cannot be the hallmark of this proposal.
"We must be vigilant."
