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How the proposed Akuna Street developmentcould look from Shoalhaven Street. Digital illustration: The Bugle
Paul Scully and Katelin McInerney.
Scully doubles down on Kiama high-rise plans Paul Suttor
M
inister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said Kiama needs in-fill development in the form of multi-storey buildings to solve the housing crisis which has engulfed the area. After revelations last week that there could be a residential building as high as 14 storeys in Kiama’s town centre, Scully said the NSW Government was responding to the wishes of local residents who did not want to see new
housing estates swallowing up the green hills that make the surrounding region so picturesque. “Kiama residents have previously expressed a desire not to see extensive greenfield development – that means that additional density needs to be seriously considered if Kiama’s housing pressures are to be relieved,” Scully told The Bugle. “There is no part of NSW that is not in need of more housing. Every part of the state has to do their part in addressing our housing supply challenges, including Kiama.
“Infrastructure considerations are part of the state-led rezoning that brings all agencies to the table. The Minns Labor Government has also reformed state infrastructure contributions so that funds are available to assist in delivery infrastructure.” The Level 33 proposal for Akuna Street is causing plenty of angst in the local community - the developers and Kiama Municipal Council are currently engaged in a legal battle which will resume in the Land and Environment
Court in mid-December. Level 33 plans to turn the old Kiama Independent site into a multi-storey commercial and residential building and has submitted an Expression of Interest to the Housing Delivery Authority for a 32.5 metre development at the eastern end of Akuna Street. Its proposal is still in the early stages of planning but if it is approved by the HDA, it could be declared a State Significant Project by the Minister, which would pave the way for the developers to make it a 14-storey behemoth
which would dwarf the town centre, against the wishes of Kiama Council, which wants a limit of seven storeys. The HDA is an optional pathway with strict criteria and all projects go through a full merit assessment process, including community consultation. Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald, in his column for The Bugle, said the new planning pathway “enables concurrent rezoning to circumvent local planning controls, removes Council from decision-making and limits our community’s voice
to a submission - that’s not good planning”. He added that Council had written to the NSW Government to express their concerns about the process and that “Kiama’s future should not be dictated by Sydney-based planners and bureaucrats”. Kiama MP Katelin McInerney weighed into the debate in her maiden speech to NSW Parliament. “It is is imperative that we build communities, not just put up more houses. Infrastructure must come Continued - Page 6