Residents have dubbed the decision a “real victory”.

However, the council is pushing ahead with plans to sell part of the northern side of Iluka Reserve, at Kiama Downs for up to nine residential lots with funds put towards key capital works.

Earlier this year, Kiama council abandoned a move to sell a parcel of community land in Blackwood Street, Gerringong, but resolved to further consider selling community land neighbouring the Gerringong Uniting Church.

At the time, councillors voted 5-4 to continue investigations into the site on the corner of Willawa Avenue and Fern Street, despite a petition of more than 2900 signatures opposing the reclassification of the two areas.

However, last Tuesday night councillors unanimously voted against proceeding with a planning proposal for the land. 

Cr Neil Reilly said the people of Gerringong wanted the area to be green space.

‘‘We are not going to make much money out of it and and we are just going to upset everyone,’’ Cr Reilly said, adding there were question marks over landfill used on the site.

Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said there was strong support community support to retain the area as a reserve, with the council to start the process which would see the reserve formally named after former mayor Arthur Campbell.

The council also requested a report on the feasibility of forming a Gerringong residents’ group to maintain the land. 

Gerringong resident Alma Macpherson, who had helped circulate the petition, said the decision was a result of a groundswell of community support.

She thanked the community and the shops in the town who had promoted the petition by placing it in their windows. 

“It’s a real victory, but it could have gone either way as a few councillors were looking to sell it,” she said.

“The residents really voiced their opinion.

“We’re happy it’s been retained the way it is.”

Meanwhile, the council has given the Noble Brothers permission to lodge a development application on a section of council land they lease on Fern Street as part of an agreement that dates back two decades.

Cr Petschler said a full development application would come back to the council.

The mayor said once the council was aware of plans, the council could proceed with plans of its own to terrace and provide seating within the reserve on the corner of Fern Street and Noble Street as planned many years ago.