It would be great if there was a simple quick fix to the housing crisis in Kiama. But the lack of new housing

supply and unaffordable prices have been decades in the making and require more than a single solution.

Urgently.

Based on population trends, the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has forecast the

Kiama population will be close to 31,000 by 2041. If you’re trying to rent or buy in the area, you already know

there are significant pressures on affordability and choice.

It’s not surprising that the housing situation in Kiama has reached crisis point. Housing and infrastructure are

complex and expensive to deliver but inaction means the problem only gets worse with each passing year. Over

the next 20 years, there will need to be investment in infrastructure and services to build the homes for our

growing community. Just as important, there will need to be leadership.

A mix of short and long term solutions will be needed to house Kiama’s growing population and keep locals

local. If all goes to plan with Council and the process, our Springside Hill project could be delivering the first

homes by 2027, with more released each year to keep pace with demand.

Kiama Council has the task of talking with the community, assessing proposals and ultimately making decisions

on where and how Kiama will grow so that it continues to be the place that locals and the growing community

enjoy and want to remain, while also protecting the delightful seaside town that we know and love.

Springside Hill is just one solution; others will be needed.

The question is, what happens if there is no action on new housing supply? If a teacher, aged care worker and

emergency service worker cannot afford to buy or rent now, imagine what it will be like in three, five or 10

years’ time.

That’s why our 25 per cent guarantee at Springside Hill is so important for the future of Kiama. With affordable

housing managed by our project partner, Housing Trust, and the provision of housing for essential workers and

locals, some of the most valuable people in our community will have the security of a roof over their head.

When you look at the location of Springside Hill, adjacent to existing homes, it is the logical solution to Kiama’s

housing shortage and can be brought to market sooner than other projects in the area.

We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to our proposal and look forward to hosting community

information sessions in April where we can hear directly from the most important stakeholders in this process

– the community.

When it comes to planning, saying no to development is safe. Proposing change runs the risk of upsetting some

in the community but if nothing changes, ultimately everyone loses. The families who move elsewhere to have

a home and a job; the elderly in aged care homes with not enough nurses; the businesses that can only operate

at half their capacity for lack of workers.

Before we finalised the Springside Hill proposal we asked you about your concerns, aspirations and thoughts on

growth.

We looked at all the reasons why people might object to building new homes and found solutions that

represent a sustainable approach to growth. Solutions around sewerage, stormwater, transport access, views

and affordability have all been proposed so that only one question remains to be answered.

Do we want to keep locals local and continue to be a community with life, energy, and a prosperous future?

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