A ‘‘BLUEPRINT for future development” will guide the next 10-20 years at Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point, although Kiama council have emphasised the importance of maintaining the area’s unique characteristics.
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Council previously commissioned a consultant to prepare a masterplan for the Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point Crown Reserve.
At Tuesday night’s meeting council resolved to commence public exhibition of the draft masterplan for the Kiama Harbour and Blowhole Point crown reserve, and that a further report be presented to council following the exhibition period.
The masterplan is effectively a blueprint for future land use improvements and land management for the next 10-20 years.
Its preparation is part of the review of the current plan of management.
The current plan of management has been in place since 2002.
Council’s acting general manager Bryan Whittaker said the document provided “a blueprint for future development”.
“Opportunities for commercial development have been identified in a couple of locations; a whole range of things have been put forward,’’ he said.
“I don’t think we want to change it all that much.
“We certainly don’t want to over-develop it, but there is potential there for some more commercial development.
“We don’t want it to be Darling Harbour – we want it to be Kiama Harbour and headlands, so we’re still maintaining the green space and the unique characteristics that go with that.
“There’s heritage items there that have got to be protected; we’re trying to improve pedestrian access, a lot of that work’s going on already.”
One of council’s aims was to create a masterplan to replace the current plan of management document (and associated documents) to identify opportunities to improve the area for the community and stakeholders.
The objectives of the management plan review process include identifying potential land use opportunities and constraints relevant to the sustainable management of the reserve, and identifying the values of the reserve to the community.
The Blowhole Point crown reserve is managed by Kiama council as the reserve trustee.
The reserve covers 30 hectares comprising a boat harbour, foreshore areas, rock platforms, passive recreation space, tourist cabin park, amenities buildings as well as other buildings used by various groups including tourist information centre, café and harbour/fishing/boating related uses.
The draft masterplan identifies opportunities in the study area for future improvement/implementation.
This includes the long-term retention of the tourist cabin park on Blowhole Point, increased car parking provision including boat trailer parking near the harbour, improved/integrated signage, access improvements and the need to maximise the potential of the harbour precinct for commercial and tourist activity.
The draft plan is expected to go on public exhibition for public comment in early December.