Despite activity returning to the site, Crown Lands have confirmed that the new seawall and path under construction at Kiama Harbour will now not be completed until March.

The project was originally due for completion in September, but was delayed in July/August while agreement was come to on additional work need to secure the seawall to the bedrock on the harbour floor [Seawall delay explained].

In answer to our query, a spokesperson for the Department of Planning and Environment said, “Work is progressing on the project which is now currently due to be completed in March next year.

“Progress is also dependent on the timing of the tides as work is taking place below the ocean water level.”

Workmen on site

As yet we have had no response to our query as to how much more than the original $2.1 million is being spent on the upgrade project.

Labor candidate for the seat of Kiama, Kaitlin McInerney, who was alerted to the delay by a community member, is concerned about the impact of the project over summer.

“There is a serious lack of information being shared by Crown Lands to the community and businesses, given the scale of the works and its central location this close to Christmas,” she says.

The proposed seawall

“This is something I have urged Crown Lands to address, and requested that regular and detailed updates be provided to the community and that the agency consider all opportunities to further reduce the impacts to accessibility at the harbour over this peak holiday season.”