RailCorp land set to be cleared

RAILCORP is preparing to subdivide land it owns in Kiama that was earmarked for three- and four-storey mixed use developments almost five years ago.

The block of land on the corner of Manning and Bong Bong streets is zoned as tourist-related business land and has had several businesses on it, including Kiama Mowers, Rentquip and Tanks of Gold.

Rentquip moved to new premises in Gerringong about three weeks ago.

A RailCorp spokesman said the organisation was preparing the land for registration with the Kiama Council as a subdivision.

He said the buildings on the land would be demolished within the next fortnight.

At the Kiama Town Centre Charrette, held in July 2002, the site owned by RailCorp was identified as an ideal place for four multi-storey buildings, incorporating conference facilities, mixed-use residential and commercial areas and tourist accommodation.

The proposed design for the Rentquip site, on the south-east corner of the Manning and Bong Bong streets intersection, was outlined as a three-storey commercial building containing "local meeting, training, conference room and board room facilities with & equipment for long-distance video-conference, etc".

The report from the Charrette said the ideal use of the part of the site fronting on to Manning St would be "a four-storey mixed-use building containing basement parking, retail/commercial uses at ground level ... and serviced apartments or residential apartments on the second, third and fourth storeys".

The proposal also suggested constructing a four-storey building on the former Tanks of Gold site for use as tourist accommodation.

When asked if RailCorp was negotiating for a large retail development to go on the land, their spokesman said there were no negotiations for the disposal of the land now under way.

He said use of the area for a large commercial site would be dependent on who bought or leased the block.

He also said RailCorp had no plans to rezone the land.