A descendant of Edward Killalea thinks people should wait to see plans for developing the park that bears his name before objecting to it.
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Last week the news that the NSW government had allocated $6.5 million to build luxury eco cabins and a 200-seat multi-function facility sparked widespread objection in the community.
But fifth generation descendant of Edward, Anthony Killelea (the spelling of the surname changed when some of the family headed to America) wanted to check out what the developer had in mind before forming an opinion.
"I'd like to see what plans they've got," Mr Killelea said.
"Since 1986, in the time that I've been coming down here there has been a lot of changes to the park. When I first came down we had to go through the gates of The Farm and pay some money to the bloke that was at the gate.
"[That was] the ranger who was there in the '80s, when all the stone buildings were built. That was a time of fairly big change but it was nice and in character with what was already there.
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"I wouldn't like to see them spoil the vista. I guess if they do stuff tastefully it may be alright - or it may not. It just remains to be seen."
Mr Killelea felt the plans for the development should be released rather than "keeping things a secret", because it could defuse the anger.
Mr Killelea, who lives in the Blue Mountains, was in the Illawarra on the weekend with a group of photographers.
He was unable to visit Killalea State Park this time - he wanted to take some night photos of the beach but left it a bit too late and the access gates were closed.
But it wasn't the first time he'd visited the park.
"I've been going there on and off since 1986," he said.
"The area's owned by everybody. It's not owned by our family or any other particular group. It's an open space for the world.
"I do feel something about the place because you walk down there and you think 'gee, my great grandfather walked here in the same spot many years ago'."
Meanwhile, thousands of people have signed a petition calling on the government to scrap development plans.
Save The Farm, no tourist development for Killalea State Park was published on the online petition platform Change.org by Richard Berndt four days ago.
As of Monday morning, it had attracted more than 5000 signatures.
In the petition, Mr Berndt demanded 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."
