Kiama Council is to convene an Extraordinary Meeting as a matter of urgency to reconsider the DA for the revitalisation of the Gerringong Co-op. At time of writing the date is not yet set.

Councillor Mark Croxford - with the support of Councillor Warren Steel, Councillor Matt Brown and Mayor Neil Reilly - has moved a rescission motion on the resolution at the March Council Meeting which resulted in a deferral of the decision with no timeframe or guidance [Decision on Gerringong Co-op deferred].

The deferral resulted from councillors' concern about the impact on neighbours from traffic, odours and noise.

"There is a $2.4 million NSW Government employment grant application with a closing date of 28 March that depends on DA approval," says Cllr Croxford.

Image: Robertson Collectif, Architects

"This gives the decision not only urgency but the opportunity for Council to reconsider this matter in the light of the support it has in the wider community.

"In the last day or so I have been receiving emails and calls from people who are supportive of the Co-op DA.

"They hadn't voiced their opinion earlier because the business paper recommended approval."

Twelve official submissions were received during the exhibition period - three in favour of it and nine against. Despite staff assessing that the DA had successfully addressed these objections, councillors were still concerned about the amenity of neighbours from such a large project.

"We will see if we can get the numbers this time," says Councillor Croxford, who expects amendments will again be made to the recommendation to allow trading at a kiosk to be from 6am rather than 7am, and that light cooking be allowed in that building.

"This development will not only be great for Gerringong, but for the LGA as a whole.

"We are a net exporter of jobs. We need to provide avenues for people of all ages to work within the LGA. The Co-op and its associated activities is the perfect opportunity and I hope it is the first of many."