The State Government's approval of the South Kiama planning proposal, against the recommendation of Kiama Council and appeals from the community, is continuing to generate criticism.

Karen Renkema-Lang, a candidate for the SAFE team in the election, says, "I am deeply disappointed by this decision.

"It is totally at odds with the advice given to me and others in Minister Stokes’ office in early 2020 [when she visited as a member of a delegation from the Kiama Combined Community Advocacy Group].

"Both Minister Stokes and Minister Ward agreed that the inclusion of the Bombo Quarry housing capacity in Kiama Local Strategic Planning Statement negated the need to rezone South Kiama.

"The decision to approve the South Kiama rezoning proposal makes a mockery of the 'community consultation' and of the legitimacy of Kiama Council to effect good planning outcomes for our Local Government Area."

Councillor Neil Reilly says, "The decision of the Minister to disregard two legitimate motions of our council perfectly illustrates the gaping chasm of trust between the community and the State Government.

"People know that facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

"If State Government was a teenager, we'd sit down with them and have that conversation about choices and consequences. They're not, and so we must accept their ruling against our better judgement… then try to mitigate the negative impact as best we can."

The site between Weir St and Old Saddleback Mountain Road

The Greens agree the decision directly contradicts the Department’s stated desire for genuine community engagement and participation in local housing and environment management strategies.

“The State Government has ignored grassroots feedback from our residents in relation to the traffic congestion, safety of our school children, sewerage capacity, heritage impact, loss of agricultural land and the negative visual impact," says Jodi Keast, who is standing for the Greens at the December election.

"This is not what our community wants or needs."

The Greens are concerned that Council staff are now, unfairly in their eyes, being asked to maintain productive working relationship with the DPIE and provide planning expertise on the development.

"Having a State Government fly-in and make decisions in relation to our housing supply makes a mockery of the upcoming community consultation opportunities in relation to Kiama Council’s Local Housing Strategy," says Ms Keast.

Councillor Matt Brown is shocked and very disappointed by the decision, saying there is not the infrastructure to support it.

"I am flabbergasted that the Government wants to approve such a large development when we have clear cracks in our overall infrastructure, especially when it comes to our sewerage, the overcrowding at Kiama Public and our High School, and existing traffic problems will be worsened.

"Until we can get some comfort we can get our schools and infrastructure upgraded, particularly sewage, I don't see how we can be even discussing such a large scale development."

Sewage overflow at Black Beach earlier in the year

Mark Greaves, Chair of the Central Precinct, can't get over the lack of an appeal mechanism.

"That just seems so wrong.

"Council has tried to comply with the Regional Plan, as well as the Local Strategic Planning Statement, by putting two pieces of green field development through to Gateway this year. The intent is there to take our part in the dwelling numbers that are required in the Regional Plan.

"For the Government to insist in the Regional Plan that we move to create and draft a Local Housing Strategy, and then not give us the opportunity to put one in place before they make this decision is not right."

He wants to know what the developer said to sway the decision against the strong recommendation of staff, the unanimous vote by council and overwhelming community opposition.

Mr Greaves says the next step it to make sure a site-specific DCP covers off as much as it can and that the DA is appropriate.

"If we are going to be stuck with it, let's make it the best we can get."

The decision is yet to be published on the State Government's Planning Portal.