A Planning Proposal, by Gerringong businessman Derek McMahon, seeking to allow general industrial use on the triangular site to the west of the Highway, formerly used by Fulton Hogan, has been rejected by the Department of Planning.

The Proposal was strongly opposed by people who saw it as the industrialisation of rural land, but was advocated for by others who said it was needed to keep local businesses and employment in the LGA.

When the land was up for auction, Council itself had tried to buy it with the intention of creating an industrial park.

Councillors Andrew Sloan and Kathy Rice were the only members of the Council to vote against sending the Proposal for Gateway.

In its Determination, the Department said the Planning Proposal was not justified on either strategic or site-specific merit; and was inconsistent with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan, the Kiama Local Strategic Planning Statement and other local plans and strategies.

It was proposed for the general industry to be allowed through additional permitted uses, but the Department says that zoning land for its intended purpose is the preferred approach.

Council is in the process of preparing an Employment Lands Strategy that will address the issue of a lack of industrial land in the LGA. This is one of the issues being considered at workshops Council are running on 13 and 14 December. Register here.