The trees on Akuna St

Residents concerned about the scale and impact of the Akuna St/Mitre 10 development are being urged by the Chair of the Kiama Central Precinct, Peter O’Neill, to attend a public meeting of the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel.

“It could be our final chance to make an impact on the decision,” he says.

A report by Council-appointed consultants, Croman Stoddart, has recommended that the development be approved, despite 78 objections being lodged.

Mr O’Neill finds it hard to comprehend why approval has been recommended given that the 100 apartment development:

• has 44 per cent less open communal space than required
• has no public open space
• still exceeds statutory building heights and floorspace ratios
• will have massive impact on the traffic in the CBD
• will eliminate 99 public carparks in the CBD
• will retain only 12 of the 54 trees on the site.

“The report says it is better than before, but it still doesn’t fit into what Council requires,” says Mr O’Neill. “Ambit claims shouldn’t be rewarded like this.”

Details: Monday, 30 April, The Pavilion Kiama, Noon