Kiama’s natural beauty and biodiversity are central to its identity, but with increasing development pressures, how can we ensure that growth enhances rather than threatens these environmental assets?

With the Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy V2 under discussion, there is a valuable opportunity for the community, developers, and environmental groups to work together to embed stronger protections for native vegetation.

Local groups such as Landcare and Bushcare already play a vital role in preserving and restoring bushland. Their volunteer-driven efforts remove invasive species, replant native flora, and support habitat regeneration. 

Revegetation of Fountaindale Dam at Jamberoo

When communities take ownership of conservation, long-term environmental benefits follow. However, these efforts need to be backed by structured planning and developer accountability to ensure meaningful impact.

One approach is Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPAs), legal agreements between councils and developers that ensure public benefits are delivered as part of new developments.

In Kiama, VPAs could be tailored to prioritise native vegetation projects, establish conservation zones within developments, and secure long-term funding for land management. 

Developers could also collaborate directly with community groups to identify areas for revegetation, ensuring that habitat protection goes beyond compliance to become a shared responsibility.

The Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy V2 provides an opportunity to embed these principles in Kiama’s planning framework. A well-designed system would ensure environmental obligations are not treated as an afterthought but are integrated into development approvals from the outset. 

With a collaborative approach between council, community organisations, and developers, Kiama can balance growth with conservation, protecting its green spaces for generations to come.

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