Concerns raised at last night's October Council Meeting on the ramifications of the State Government considering selling the land it currently leases to house the Kiama SES have been eased, with the Member for Kiama Gareth Ward saying the land will stay in Transport NSW’s hands.

“I have spoken to Minister Faraway [Minister for Regional Transport and Roads] and can confirm that Transport for NSW will not be selling the land currently occupied by the SES,” says Mr Ward.

“I’m advised that the Department were seeing if there was any appetite for a sale to council as Transport do not require the land. The intention and reasoning behind the offer was made clear in the correspondence from the Department.”

Mr Ward's previous letter on the matter had not been replied to, prompting the call last night.

Council was notified in June that Transport for NSW considered the land that houses the Kiama SES, on Terralong St near the northbound ramp to the Highway, as surplus to requirements and was asked if it would be interested in exercising its option to buy as the long term leasee.

With Council declining the offer, the land will not be offered for sale publicly. 

Like other councils, Kiama Council has an obligation to provide ‘adequate facilities’ for the SES unit to undertake their functions and the SES have confirmed they have no plans for downsizing or relocating their Kiama Unit from their current location.