The Draft Kiama Harbour Revitalisation Framework, currently on exhibition, is causing waves within the community as locals analyse its impact.

“The whole design is based on moving the boat ramp to the northern end, where the carparking and helicopter pad is,” says Councillor Mark Way, who is a keen boater and fisher.

“It doesn’t make any sense at all. They are proposing a breakwater to protect it, but it will block off half of the navigation channel and make it impossible to get into the harbour at low tide.”

Locals say the current boat ramp is in the right position, but in the Draft its removal is necessary to allow for a Corso area to be created

Councillor Way has been involved with improving the harbour for many years, and says it is working well for everyone at the moment.

“Sure it could be prettied up, but the basic layout is working perfectly – the boat ramp is in a protected place, close to the carpark, and the traffic works well.

“What is proposed stops people using the rockpool from parking up there at all.

“Traffic will be restricted to boat users and emergency vehicles.”

Mila Evans is a member of the Crabs swimming group, and says she doesn’t understand why the character of the harbour is under threat.

“I don’t think the people who put this together realise how much people love the rockpool, and how many locals and visitors use it.”

A local boat owner detailed his concerns to us.

“The harbour works well as it is. Moving the boat ramp makes no sense, as it will block the main deep channel and there will massive swells

where the breakwall is proposed.

“The basalt floor of the harbour means you can’t dredge a new channel.

“I don’t think they have listened to anybody with any local knowledge.”

The Draft is on exhibition, and residents are encouraged to make submissions.

“Feedback is invited until 5 March and will help inform the final plan,” says NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director Andrew Mogg. 

“No aspect of the plan will be locked in until all feedback is considered.

“Transport for NSW has already consulted with manly local stakeholders for guidance on the draft plan, including Kiama Chamber of Commerce, Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council, Kiama Harbour Fish Markets, Kiama Precinct Groups, Kiama Boat Owners Association, 1st Kiama Scout Group, Kiama Game Fishers Association, and Kiama Historical Society.”

Ms Evans says she has got to know a lot of people who use the harbour, and through talking to them has realised that there is little support for the changes.

“I thought the organisations listed as participating stakeholders must support it, but it seems that isn’t the case.”

Councillor Neil Reilly shares the concerns of others and more. “My real fear is there are people who would like to see Blowhole Point highly developed. By a slip of a bureaucratic pen, they will use this unconnected document to do just that.”

Neil Reilly is concerned about many aspects of the Draft, including access to the rockpool

Full details at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/kiama-harbour-revitalisation

Information zoom sessions have already been held, but anyone wishing to find out more can do so at the Kiama Central Precinct Meeting, Tues 23 Feb, Joyce Wheatley Centre, 7pm