Killalea - Community opposes sell-off of precious public land

Thursday, 28 June 2007 00:19

Killalea State Park, an area of Crown land covering 8km of coastline between Kiama and Shellharbour, is dedicated for public recreation and its natural features include rainforest, extensive areas of coastal wetland and migratory bird habitat. It is managed through the Department of Lands by the Killalea State Park Trust, who is entrusted to provide a range of facilities while maintaining and enhancing the natural environment.

On the 30 April, the Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly, announced that a development agreement had been signed allowing Killalea Coastal Investments, a subsidiary of Mariner Property Partnerships, to submit a development application. He also indicated that final approval of the development will lie with the Planning Minister Frank Sartor and will not be put before Shellharbour Council.

A 52-year lease to the developer is now virtually guaranteed, providing, in the Minister’s words, “they get a DA up”.  This is the virtual equivalent of selling the public land for private development, when in 52 years, no one (they hope) will recall what has been lost and it will be just another developed area that can be rezoned.  

Local organisations and residents, angry about the lack of community consultation that surrounded the plan, have formed the Save Killalea Alliance (SKA) to oppose the development. Concept plans have been kept closely under wraps with unusually strict confidentiality agreements that had to be signed by members of the Trust. Although the public is still unable to see these plans, a television news crew was allowed to film them. Stills from the footage showed motel style units, two or three swimming pools, restaurants and a range of from 80-120 villas, as well as car parks and other amenities.

The NSW Greens also placed a motion to parliament calling for the release of papers regarding the 52-year lease. However the Government, with the help of the Shooters Party and Christian Democrats, defeated this. SKA is currently pursuing the documents through other avenues but are concerned that this will not entail the full and genuine disclosure of information that was being sought through parliament.

Details of the lease are now expected to be posted by the NSW Government on the internet this Friday 29th June. If you are concerned about the “selling off” to developers of Killalea State Park, please send an urgent email, a fax or a letter to the following:

The Minister for Lands
The Hon. Tony Kelly
Level 34 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
Sydney NSW 2000
Fax: 02 9228 3988

The Mayor
Mr David Hamilton
Shellharbour City Council
PO Box 155 Shellharbour City Centre
NSW 2529
Fax: 4256 0503