MAYORAL STATEMENT

Published on 14 November 2025

State Significant Developments – setting the record straight

First, let me be absolutely clear. As Mayor, I do not support 14-storey buildings anywhere in Kiama. They are far too high and completely out of character for our town.

I want to clarify some important information about two separate NSW Government planning matters affecting central Kiama.

1. Akuna Street, 100 Terralong Street and 55–61 Shoalhaven Street

• This site is owned by Level 33 Property Developers.
• Kiama Council is currently involved in a Local Environmental Court (LEC) case brought by the developer regarding its Development Application (DA).
• Council is defending its planning controls, which found the DA too high, too bulky, and raised traffic concerns. When summonsed, Council is legally obliged to defend its position. We hope this matter will be resolved soon.

Separately, Level 33 has asked the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) to declare the site a State Significant Development (SSD) and permit a 14-storey building. This is a matter for the NSW Government and the Minister, not Council.

Council has written to Minister Paul Scully to communicate the community’s concerns — and I encourage residents who share those concerns to do the same. I will be tabling our letter publicly at our next council meeting.

2. Shoalhaven Street Precinct

• This area includes Council-owned land, including the Works Depot, currently zoned industrial.
• Council resolved to rezone this land from industrial to residential under our adopted Local Housing Strategy.
• The NSW Government has now declared the rezoning project State Significant, which Council has welcomed.
• No development can occur until rezoning is complete.
• No DA has been lodged.

In simple terms: this is about changing the zoning, not approving any buildings.

Images shown during the NSW Government’s exhibition are illustrative only. They do not represent approved designs or heights. Detailed planning — including building heights, design, traffic, parking and public consultation — will occur later through the normal DA and DCP processes.

I understand people are anxious as there will be change to that site, so it’s important that the process is clear and that the community is consulted.

Have your say

The Shoalhaven Street Precinct rezoning proposal is being led by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and is on public exhibition until 3 December.

I encourage everyone to read the facts for themselves and make a submission — your voice helps shape what happens next.

Details and feedback can be provided at:
www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au