Opinion by Lynne Strong

The Kiama Community has a unique opportunity to shape the future of our region through the Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy. This strategy outlines how we plan to meet our housing supply targets and ensure sustainable and responsive delivery of housing for our growing and changing community. But does it reflect best practice in urban planning? The Bugle invites the community to consider whether our strategy aligns with the best principles identified in urban planning.

Developing compact, walkable, and diverse mixed-use towns is crucial. This includes grid street layouts, promoting pedestrian linkages, and ensuring streets leading to town centres support walking and active transportation. Does our draft strategy promote the development of neighbourhoods that minimise car dependency and support active transportation? Are we ensuring that new developments are walkable and well-connected?

Ensuring housing diversity and affordability is essential. This includes provisions for smaller homes with longer design lifespans, housing options for service workers, and plans for ageing in place. Does our strategy include specific measures to encourage diverse and affordable housing options? Are we catering to the needs of service workers, couples without children and providing options for our growing ageing population?

Integrating infrastructure and services is vital. This means clustering retail and commercial uses to maximise job creation and ensuring local availability of essential services to reduce travel demand. Are we planning for the development of local service and trade businesses?

Environmental sustainability is key. Incorporating passive solar design principles, encouraging active solar energy production and storage, and reducing the heat island effect with light-coloured roofs and large deciduous street trees are essential steps. Does our strategy incorporate these environmental sustainability measures? Are we planning for green spaces and recreational areas that promote community well-being and environmental health?

Successful implementation requires ongoing open conversations and partnerships with State and Federal Governments, community housing providers, private developers, and the community. Are we fostering a collaborative approach that includes all stakeholders? Is there a commitment to continuous engagement and partnership to ensure our actions meet the community's needs?

The Kiama Draft Growth and Housing Strategy sets a promising framework for accommodating growth and meeting our housing supply targets. However, it's crucial to reflect on whether it encompasses best practices in sustainable urban planning.

Your input is invaluable. As we strive to create a sustainable, vibrant, and resilient Kiama, we need your feedback to ensure our strategy truly reflects best practice in urban planning. Let’s work together to shape the future of Kiama. Have your say here.