A number of us from the Save Killalea Alliance recently met with Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama. Gareth indicated that he believes the Dep't of Planning may have a different perspective on the issue of Killalea now there is a new government. The previous government had a gung-ho attitude to development in the park. Hopefully, those days are gone.
Now that submissions for the 2011 Draft Local Environment Plan (LEP) have been re-opened, I urge everyone to make a submission to Council asking for Killalea to be treated as it was when the 2011 Draft LEP was first presented to Council on 19 October 2010.
The Draft LEP of 19 October 2010 made an important provision in relation to Killalea. It proposed that, unlike the 2000 LEP, large areas of the park be quarantined from development. Any future development would be confined to a small envelope surrounding the pre-existing caravan/camping area. This has the effect of preserving the most iconic and most well used parts of the park from development. This is in line with the community's wishes. It also allows for the Killalea State Park Trust to establish a small income generating facility in a relatively unobtrusive area of the park.
Council proposes to defer consideration of Killalea from the 2011 LEP pending further discussions with the Dep't of Planning, The Land and Property Management Authority, The Killalea State Park Trust and the Shellharbour community. This leaves the Park under the provisions of the 2000 LEP which allows for development in most of the park. It would remain zoned 7(f2), a zoning which allows for hotels, motels, serviced apartments. souvenir shops etc.
The community has made its views known in a number of ways.
There has been a 15,000 signature petition collected, opposing over development of the park.
There have been numerous well attended public meetings opposing over development of the park.
The local media has been full of stories opposing over development of the park.
I commend Shellharbour Council for the way they approached Killalea in the October 2010 Draft LEP. It appeared to be entirely consistent with the community's expressed wishes whilst still allowing the Trust some freedom to generate extra income.
I urge council to reinstate their preferred treatment of Killalea into the Draft LEP as this would provide the greatest level of protection to this much loved site.
