With the independent peer review of the State Government’s approval of the South Kiama Planning Proposal underway, a rally is being organised as a last ditch attempt to show the community’s opposition to the rezoning.

As reported in previous issues, the Proposal is to rezone rural land between Weir St and Saddleback Mountain Road for 444 housing lots (see South Kiama rezoning to go ahead or search for South Kiama for more articles).

The Member for Kiama Gareth Ward and Central Precinct Chair Mark Greaves are calling on the local Kiama community to join a suitably socially distanced rally in Hindmarsh Park, timed to coincide with the review and encourage people to write to the new Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts.

Community opposition to the approval resulted in the former Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, instigating the independent peer review of the decision made by the Department, which contrasted with the refusal recommendation from Kiama Council’s planners.

“It’s time for our community to send a strong and unambiguous message to the NSW Government; we have had enough of our community being over-developed and we will not back down in fighting to protect our local community,” says Mr Ward.

Mr Greaves says it is essential the community show their strong opposition to over-development.

“This will be a short, sharp rally. It’s about showing the NSW Government that our community is strongly opposed to this outrageous planning proposal.

“I don’t want to go through this process and wish we had done more. This is our last shot.”

Amongst other things, the terms of reference for the review, written by Mr Ward and Mr Greaves, require the reviewer to physically visit the site, and talk with key people in Council and the community.

“It is hard to understand the issues from an office in Parramatta,” says Mr Greaves.

“We know the independent reviewer will be visiting the region in the very near future. As a community, we have made strong and sensible arguments about the lack of supporting infrastructure, the impact of urban expansion, the degradation of our natural environment and the inconsistencies with existing NSW Planning documents.

“Our community is at a total loss as to how this was approved by the Department in the first place. Given that Kiama Council and our local planning department made a strong recommendation that this development should not proceed.

“This is why we need as many voices as possible at this rally; we are going to ensure they hear us all the way to Macquarie Street.”

Details: Saturday 22 January, Hindmarsh Park, 10am.

Wear masks.