Notes from the Residents Workshops, May 11 2021, The Pavilion

supplied by the Central Precinct President, Mark Greaves

All residents are encouraged to write their own submission and then send to Council and your local member. Some residents have indicated that they will also send their submissions to Councillors, and also to some State Ministers.

You can access all the details relating to the South Kiama PP on the council website: South Kiama PP

The following documents are useful: ‘Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2016-2036’ and ‘Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2021-2041’ as well as the Kiama Local Strategic Planning Statement.

Notes were made from both the workshops held. These notes should be helpful when you write your own submission.

History of the PP

Council Report March 2019:   See p.4 Mayoral Minute and voting. P.7 Kiama Urban Strategy.

Council Minute March 2019:  8 to 1 vote by Councillors to reject PP.

Southern Regional Planning Panel report:  Strategic and site-specific merit.

Council Report July 201:. Acceptance by Council of Planning Proposal Authority.

Council Minute July 2019: See recommendations pp.2-3.

Gateway Determination:   PP to proceed.

Council’s Objections to PP

Council identified the following reasons for not supporting the PP:

• Greenfield sites should only be considered if insufficient dwellings are able to be supplied.
• Highlighted the importance of infill development to the Kiama housing market.
• Housing completions have tracked above the annual average projected under the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan (ISRP) for the 2 previous years.
• Council considers that the existing greenfield sites are sufficient for housing development.
• Impacts on the performance of the road and wastewater networks needs to be considered.
• In the Kiama Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) the community highly values the natural environment, agricultural lands, scenic landscapes and the urban character of the municipality.
• The Kiama community has a strong preference for a moderate approach to growth to growth and has raised concerns about the outward expansion of towns and villages.

Southern Regional Planning Panel Review June 2019

The site is identified in the Kiama Urban Study for use “if insufficient dwelling numbers are available.”

The SRPP was not convinced that other initiatives would meet projected housing needs identified in the ISRP.

Greenfield sites relied heavily on progressing development of West Elambra which has not been rezoned to date. (Now before Council)

The SRPP is therefore not convinced that “sufficient dwellings will be available” consistent with the KUS caveat on progressing development of this site.

Gateway consideration can proceed in parallel with development of the LSPS, with the Council ultimately in a position to make a final decision in the context of directions articulated in the LSPS.

Broad Planning Issues in the LGA

The proponent relies on the 2011 Kiama Urban Study which has been replaced by the 2020 LSPS. Both documents identify South Kiama as a potential greenfield site “if required.”

The 2020 LSPS for the first time identifies Bombo Quarry as a significant future contributor to dwelling numbers. See p.22 regarding greenfield and infill sites. And p.31 regarding housing supply and demand.

The proponent relies solely on the 2036 ISRP which is about to be replaced: (See p.35 Direction 2.1 Need for an additional greenfield site. 2850 dwellings required over 20 years, 142 per year. P.36 states that there was not enough land or market ready infill development to provide this need.)

The Draft 2041 ISRP differs significantly in its view on the contribution required by Kiama LGA re regional housing supply:

P.62 has Objective 18 Provide housing supply in the right locations. Kiama will only play a supporting role in regional housing supply. Collaboration Activity 4 is to work with KMC on the development of a Local Housing Strategy. Bombo Quarry is mentioned as a future development site rather than other non urban areas. P.70 has Objective 20 establish a shared vision for the future of Bombo Quarry. The Regional Plan recognises the potential of BQ as a future site for housing needs.

Council will be preparing a Local Housing Strategy by June 2022. Why would a decision be made on such a large potential housing site before the Local Housing Strategy is in place?

The Site

South Kiama PP is a 40 hectare(100 acres) site bounded by Saddleback Mountain Road to the North, Weir Street to the South and Princes Highway to the East. The site slopes significantly west to east and has many undulations south to north over numerous riparian corridors. The steep slopes of much of the land would require significant cut and fill, as well as retaining walls in road construction as well as building construction.

The community is also concerned that 40 hectares of farming land will be lost to development.

The workshops discussed the major concerns to residents.

Traffic

The traffic survey commissioned by the proponent used intersection count from 26/07/2016. This is out of date. The High School P&C Association have done more recent traffic counts. The study did not highlight that safety and traffic are a major issue for the Kiama High School currently. An updated Traffic Study is urgently required.

The traffic study states that there will be an extra 525 vehicle movements past the KHS each peak hour morning. The safety issues with an extra 9 vehicles per minute are a huge concern.

The small turning circle for vehicles will be confronted by 525 vehicles coming against them each school morning.

The traffic report states that 90% of vehicles leaving the proposed estate will be heading north, either going into the Town Centre or heading north on the Princes Highway.

More vehicles going into the Town Centre will put pressure on parking. We are waiting for the draft Traffic and Parking Study that Council has commissioned to assess the current issues regarding parking. We need to assess that study.

Vehicles wishing to enter the Princes Highway will need to wind through Addo’s roundabout and then onto Manning, Farmer, Shoalhaven and Bland Streets before entering the highway.

Return trips in the afternoons will exit the highway at Surfleet Place and wind back through South Kiama Drive, adding to congestion.

Pressure on roads if construction goes ahead. Many heavy vehicles on local roads will lead to extra maintenance.

Emergency access to the PP site requires clarification.

Floodwater, Stormwater and Sewerage

Much concern that the report from Sydney water is a single page.

Residents are concerned that the current sewage system is unable to cope, before adding extra pressure. Require much more information on sewerage capabilities.

Steep terrain and many new hard surfaces will cause much more stormwater.

Biodiversity and Conservation section of DPIE states that there has been no flood mitigation implementation. This will lead to downstream flood impacts. “Flood risk will be increased due to this PP”.

Flood assessment has not addressed matters raised and discussed in previous advice.

“PP is inconsistent with objectives of Flood Prone Land.”

Schooling

Concern that the report from Dept. of Education was 2 pages only.

The Catholic Schools department was not asked for a report.

KHS close to capacity. KPS is over capacity. Sts Peter & Paul primary school close to capacity.

The report includes Gerringong and Jamberoo primary schools in the catchment. Surely, primary students would go to KPS or StP&P schools.

Need explanation on how projections have been done.

All 3 schools have a small footprint, with no room for expansion.

Transport for NSW

Does not support the PP in its current form.

PP needs to address impacts on State road network, and requires more information regarding walking, cycling and public transport.

Noise abatement needs more consideration.

Enquiries to Central Precinct are welcome: [email protected] or 0418 811 833