Last night’s September Meeting of Council endorsed the Kiama Town Centre DCP, setting the height limits and design specifications for the area to give guidance to future development.

The original draft was revised substantially after public consultation, with the proposed height limit for most of the area lowered to the status quo of 11 metres (3 storeys) rather than the 4 storeys originally recommended [Revised Town Centre DCP largely keeps 3 storey limit].

Although Councillors Rice and Renkema-Lang spoke about their preference for lower heights in areas where the limit had been increased, the only change that was made to the recommendation was to reinforce the need to issue 10.7 certificates that will clearly state to purchasers in the area that the night time economy is being encouraged in the area.

These have been used by successfully by other councils to reduce complaints about noise and operating hours, and had been strongly lobbied for by the arts and business community.

“The last thing we need is new residents coming in and saying we don’t want noise or activity after dark in the town centre,” said Councillor Matt Brown when proposing the amendment.

Councillor Renkema-Lang tried unsuccessfully to have the Kiama Surf Club area removed from the DCP, due to concerns about the impact of climate change predicted for the area. The endorsed DCP now allows for 3 storeys to be considered for the site.

The endorsement includes a site specific DCP for Council’s Akuna St property, which is currently awaiting exchange with Level 33 Property Group.

The site will incorporate a town square, with a 6 storey height limit on about 20 per cent of the available built area, a 5 storey height limit on about a third of the area, and the rest limited to 4 storeys. Like other buildings on Terralong St, the old Mitre 10 site will stay at 3 storeys, with a set back for the top level.

Council’s other block on Akuna St (currently an unformed carpark) now has a mix of 4 and 3 storey limits.