After one of the more eventful Kiama Council meetings since the September 2024 elections, one thing is clear: this Council means business. Whereas previous Councillors would have found a way to stymie debate, delay, defer and not compromise, in one of its first big tests of mettle, our representatives decided in favour of progress. 

Of course, we are talking about the much talked about, independently reviewed, double expression for those interested, now revised, version 2 of Council’s Draft Growth and Housing Strategy. 

Following more debate, alternate motions and discussion about urban expansion, Council decided to place version 2 of the strategy on public exhibition for an extended period of 60 days. The main contention was the implication of including the controversial Springside Hill/Kiama West and Riversdale Drive land into the strategy and how this might influence future planning decisions.

Some Councillors declared that they had received emails and representations from constituents concerned with the contents of the draft strategy and Councillors Warren and Lawton were particularly concerned about endorsing the staff recommendation. 

Indeed, it was a marked shift from Council staff, led in the main by Director of Planning, Environment and Communities, Ed Patterson. Mr Patterson clarified with the Councillors that the strategy is a 20 year plan and that growth for the area will occur. His message was - the days of simply turning a blind eye to growth and naively relying on projects like Bombo Quarry as the answer, were over.  

Rather, he said it was better for Council and the community to have ‘levers to play with’ in terms of shaping growth. This sentiment was echoed by Councillor Cains who said it was better to ‘have a seat at the table’ rather than losing control. Councillor Cains was also sceptical of a proposed motion to defer a decision on the draft strategy, stating that he did not want a decision to defer to be a trojan horse for Council to continue to ‘squib’ on making a decision – possibly a reference to the lack of leadership from previous Councillors.  

Council will now prepare the public exhibition of version 2 of the draft strategy, a document that has been foreshadowed since 2021. 

The concept of growth is something that has been outrightly rejected by some parts of the community for a long time, and these views should be acknowledged.

However, Council is also aware that growth will occur and there is far greater utility in having a seat at the table, being part of the conversation and being able to pull levers at the appropriate time.

The Bugle’s View is that this slow and steady approach is the right way to go about this, and we look forward to seeing the Views of all parts of the community over the next 60 days.