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Developer claims Akuna project will ‘enhance town’ Paul Suttor
Our Santa for 65 years Myah Garza
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At 92, Noel Creighton has become something of a Kiama treasure. He’s lived in the town all his life, watched it grow around him, and for more than 65 years has carried the mantle of the
South Coast’s very own Santa Claus. Noel smiles when he recalls that his childhood home once stood where the Kiama Leagues Club is today. “So when I’m having dinner at night, when I do go, I’m actually sitting in my bedroom,” he laughed.
One of 11 children, Noel first put on the red suit in December 1957. The extended Creighton family would gather in the old Tennis Hall near Hindmarsh Park for Christmas Eve, and with countless nieces and nephews racContinued - Page 3
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ydney-based developer Level 33 has moved to reassure the local community that its plans for a high-rise complex on Akuna Street will “enhance the town centre” rather than detract from Kiama’s unique charm. Managing director Eddy Haddad told The Bugle that they were “aware of the concerns and are taking them seriously” following a backlash to the proposed $66 million development. Level 33 recently withdrew its legal action against Kiama Council and has engaged with the Housing Delivery Authority to complete the project. The HDA could allow the developer to go beyond the seven-storey limit to the 10-14 range for the complex which could house two supermarkets. When asked why the Land and Environment Court case,
which was due to be heard this week, had been withdrawn, Haddad said: “The HDA has accepted the site into its program and has gone out to tender with a panel of architects. “At this stage, we could not gain further traction with Council on progressing the approval without the matter proceeding to a full hearing in Court, which we wanted to avoid.” Haddad would not say how many storeys Level 33 wants its development to be but added: “The project has now gone out to the HDA’s architectural panel for a redesign, so the final height will be determined through that process. “This will ultimately be determined by the State Government Architect and the Design Review Panel. Heights shown to date are indicative only and subject to further assessment and planning.” It is understood that the HDA
will make a recommendation to Planning Minister Paul Scully who can then declare the project a State Significant Development, which means it would not need to conform to Council’s height limits. Local residents and business owners are concerned Kiama does not have the infrastructure in place to cope with a rapid increase in developments such as this one, plus two other multistorey proposals for Akuna Street and the Council-owned Shoalhaven Street Precinct which could result in 450 homes being built in an eightstorey development opposite Kiama Bowls Club. “We intend to deliver a landmark development for Kiama that will enhance the town centre, including significant retail activation and additional retail and resident car parking,” Haddad Continued - Page 2