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Chris Minns digs in to help launch the Bomaderry PreSchool project. Photo: The Bugle
Minns confident of getting high-rise housing mix right
Paul Suttor
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SW Premier Chris Minns believes the Government can get the balance right with development in Kiama amid community concerns over several multi-storey developments in the pipeline for the town centre. After Planning Minister Paul Scully said the Government was in favour on in-fill development instead of using greenfield locations in the surrounding areas, Minns moved to ease fears in the community about Kiama losing its character. The 14-storey proposal for the Level 33 development
on Akuna Street is the main source of angst in the community along with another six-storey proposal at the other end of the street and the Kiama Council-led Shoalhaven Street Precinct, which could result in sixand eight-storey residential and commercial buildings opposite the Bowling Club. “I wouldn’t dismiss those concerns just outright,” Minns said. “You’ve got to have development that’s in keeping with some of the most beautiful high streets and town centres that we have in the state. “But I think we can get the balance right. I think you
can have a bit more urban development closer to town and one of the reasons it’s really important is that it’s got to go somewhere.” Minns, who was making his first visit to the region since the September by-election to announce pre-school funding in Bomaderry, recognised the need to avoid infringing on the natural beauty of the community. “In other words, ripping up green space to put more housing in with more land tracts. “So you’ve either got to go up or out or do a mix of the two. We’re trying to do a mix.” For projects declared a State Significant Development, the
Housing Delivery Authority and the Planning Minister can overrule Council’s objections to buildings being approved higher than their recommendations, which could be the case with the 14- and six-storey plans on Akuna St. If the HDA makes a call, that’s not the end of it. Obviously, it has to go through the planning and assessment process,” Minns added. “I think we can thread the needle - have more housing, but keep the natural beauty, the amenity of the local community up to scratch.” Minns’ Government recently passed new planning reforms which will speed up the housing approval process.
“Over time, it’ll make a big difference. But it’s going to take time,” he said. “We got into this situation when it comes to housing prices and housing affordability over 10-15 years. So it’s going to take time to get out of it, but it’s a good positive step. “It means that we can have some common-sense laws. “One of the biggest changes is perhaps the least remarked on, and that is that the objectives of the Bill have now changed towards building houses. “Amazingly, previously that wasn’t even mentioned as part of the legislation. “So I think any big state,
any big jurisdiction that’s got massive housing challenges, like we do in NSW, has to have as an objective of their plans, their legislation, their reforms, building new houses for the next generation.” Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald issued a statement to “set the record straight” on Council’s legal battle with Level 33 and how the potential for a 14-storey development to be approved was a matter for the NSW Government and Scully as the Planning Minister. “As Mayor, I do not support 14-storey buildings anywhere in Kiama. They are far too high and completely out of character for our town.”
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