Owners worried about historic terrace plans

Owners of the historic Terrace shops in Kiama have voiced their concern about a proposed development application currently before the council.

Both body corporate members and leaseholders of some of the Collins St shops believe a DA submission requesting alteration to shops 36 and 38 will affect the historic nature of the street and its tourist marketability.

In a letter submitted to the Kiama Independent some concerned owners and occupiers of the cottages stated that the shops are ‘the Gateway to Kiama and to the many tourists who visit Kiama each year, these are the first impression of the area they see.’

Many of the owners have growing concerns about alleged ‘moonlight developments’, that have seen occupiers converting one larger shop into two in the middle of the night.

“We’re worried as they’ve knocked down a structural wall without DA approval and they’ve been given permission by the owner who they rent the building off to do that,” one of the owners said.

The body corporate spoke to council about the incident, but were unsatisfied with the result.

“The Council gave them a fine for $300 and a new DA form to fill in. They told us that they have a right to appeal and that was the best they could do.”

Owners of the cottages believe the proposed DA is outside planning law as a Strata Management Office submitted it without a body corporate vote as legally required.

Body corporate majority owner, Anthony Graham, was granted an interim order from the Office of Fair Trading to prevent any further damage to the Terraces.

Members of the body corporate, terrace occupiers and the council will have the chance to present their case at a mediation session later in the month with a tribunal hearing to follow.

“We just think that the council needs to be accountable for things that affect the history of the town and we are interested in retaining heritage in the community.”