Frustrated by the lack of progress in extending the Kiama Coast Walk further south from Gerringong to Gerroa (known Stage 2), retired senior engineering staff of Kiama Council are calling on candidates in the State Election to show their support.

The former senior staff - Bryan Whittaker, Ken Adcock, Peter Stuckey, Rod King and David Leigh - all worked on various aspects in establishing Stage I (from Loves Bay to Gerringong), which involved negotiating access through private land. 

“Stage 2 involves the same issues, but now has the benefit of funding from the NSW Government’s Coastal Land Protection scheme, established to increase public ownership of important coastal land,” says Peter Stuckey, who was Council’s Manager of Parks & Environment.

“In September 2020 Council passed a resolution to submit an application to the Scheme and very little has been done since and I’m worried the funding will dry up.”

Because the walk is of state significance, the former staff are asking the candidates in the State Elections to show their full support for the completion of the track from Gerringong to Gerroa and, if elected:

• urge Council to submit a grant application for funding under the Coastal Lands Protection Scheme
• work with Council and landowners to acquire the lands under the Scheme. 

Former Director Engineering & Works, Bryan Whittaker, says, “As ex-engineers with a wealth of experience in engineering management we have actual experience and knowledge gained in working on Stage I. That project has been a huge success. 

The endorsed route

“Therefore we are urging Council to take a proactive approach to establish Stage II. Given our experience we understand the difficulties that must be overcome, but we urge Council to provide resources to this fantastic project so that proper results are achieved within proper timeframes.

“If necessary we would be available on a voluntary basis to assist in practical ways to make this happen.”

An update in the February 2023 Business Paper of a resolution of Council in April 2022 noted that staff resourcing had been allocated to the project, landowners identified in the endorsed route have been contacted and contact has been made on initiation of the grant application.

“We need to get some momentum going with this project, so we have access to the funds to do it,” says Mr Stuckey.

“We’ve waited too long already. It is up to Council to make it happen. All the details don't have to be finalised before the application goes in.”