Level 33 has lodged its developer application for the car park on Akuna Street, giving locals an insight into what the proposed new shopping centre might look like.

The application includes plans for 344 basement car parking spaces, 24 retail premises, two supermarkets, and 82 shop-top residential units.

Kiama Council voted in November 2023 to amend its Local Environment Plan 2011 to increase the maximum building height limit on some parts of the site to six storeys (21m), or about 20 percent of the build area. Another third of the area can be built up to five storeys, while the rest remains at a maximum of four storeys.

The DA also includes provisions to protect the heritage-listed house on the site, as well as the connecting paths from the car park through to Terralong Street, as well as new access laneways and public open spaces.

As the DA has only just been submitted, Council must now undertake the assessment process which occurs in line with

legislation and Council policy. The Southern Regional Planning Panel, which is composed of experts appointed by the State Government and Council, must then make a final ruling.

The community will also have the opportunity to provide feedback through the Exhibition Process, which is expected to run from late February to early March.

Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud said she was pleased to see the DA submitted to Council.

“It is great to see the owner reaching a stage of being able to lodge an application with Council for assessment.” 

“I know the community will be interested in what the development includes. I encourage the community to view the document during the exhibition process to form their own views and provide submissions to Council for consideration through the process. “

You can read the full DA here.

Level 33 purchased the Akuna Street car park from Kiama Council for $28 million in 2022 through the tender process.