I don’t think our community is well informed about the extent of the potential impact the Kiama Draft Housing Strategy on our town of Kiama (currently on exhibition).

Originally it proposed to increase the municipality’s population by a third, but with the addition of the State Government mandated Springside Hill development and the inclusion of existing land available for development, we will see nearly 5000 lots available for development in Kiama alone, doubling both its size and population. 

This will mean that most of the land west of the bypass in Kiama will be covered in houses, including the land behind Spring Creek and Bombo, south Kiama adjoining the high school, and the ridges and valleys of west Kiama.

I think that most people would accept the need for housing growth, but this Strategy crosses a line and is truly excessive.

The most alarming aspect of the Strategy is that the Springside Hill development at West Kiama was opposed by both Council and the community, but the State Labor government imposed it anyway without consultation or regard for environmental impacts. This development alone will significantly impact our scenic landscapes, heritage listed stone walls, high quality agricultural lands, Spring Creek wetlands and biodiversity.   

 I know that times are changing but is Kiama going to accept this without a whimper??

 Howard H Jones

(Secretary Gerroa Environmental Protection Society

 The image below taken from the Strategy does not include South Kiama