As part of the Kiama Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) 2020, Council is conducting a comprehensive review of the development controls that apply to the Kiama Town Centre.
These development controls are contained within the Kiama Development Control Plan (DCP) 2020.
Overview of Planning Proposal:
At the September 2022 Council meeting, Council endorsed to prepare and submit a Planning Proposal (PP) to amend the Kiama Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2011 . Council endorsed to undertake consultation with relevant State agencies and the community in accordance with the Gateway Determination and the Kiama Community Participation Plan 2019.
Council received a Gateway Determination on 21 December 2022.
Council referred the PP to the following State Agencies as required by the Gateway:
- Sydney Water
- Transport for NSW
- Endeavour energy
- Crown Lands
There is ongoing consultation about a number of components of the PP with State agencies and this is continuing to occur. From a community perspective, the community have seen the proposed amendments through the DCP process. The Planning Proposal that was endorsed by Council is just enacting the decision already made at the September 2022 Ordinary Council Meeting.
The Planning Proposal proposed to amend the LEP to:
- Increase the maximum permissible building height:a. From 3 storeys to four storeys along the southern side of Terralong Street, between Thomson Street and Collins Street,b. From 3 storeys to four storeys for parts of Kiama Centrepoint Shopping Mall, andc. From 3 storeys to four, five and six storeys for parts of the Akuna Street strategic site
- Decrease the maximum permissible building height for part of the Akuna Street Strategic sites to 8.5 metres to facilitate public open space.
- Increase maximum floor space ratio to specific sites.
- Map the areas of the Kiama Town Centre required to have an active street frontage.
- Amend Clause 6.8 relating to active street frontage development standards, and
- Rezone 72 Manning Street from RE1 Public Recreation to B2 Local Centre/E1 Local Centre to correct mapping error.
The Kiama Town Centre Study (2019) identified 3 Precincts in the Town Centre.
New development is to consider the vision and desired future character of these existing Precincts and the objectives listed in Topic 12.7.
In summary:
- ‘Westend’ PrecinctLocated at the north-western end of Terralong Street with district views towards the harbour and escarpment. The street wall is predominately 2-3 storeys high. New development within the Westend Precinct should aim to establish a 0m front setback but must also consider adjacent sites to create a sympathetic front setback.
- ‘Harbourside’ PrecinctThe main civic area along Terralong and Manning Streets. The built form in this Precinct is characterised by one to two storey buildings with suspension hung awnings being the predominant canopy form. This streetscape character should be retained.
- ‘Surf Beach’ Precinct
The location of recent large developments in the town centre that provide a mix of retail, commercial and residential uses. These developments define a 3-storey street wall as a key characteristic within this Precinct. The significant number of mature Norfolk Pines along Manning Street create a strong sense of verticality. New development should reflect a vertical fine grain proportion in the architectural articulation along the street.
The following key strategic sites were identified:
- Site A: Akuna Street
- Site B: Civic Precinct
- Site C: Kiama Leagues Club
- Site D: Kiama Village Shopping Centre
- Site E: Havilah Place
- Site F: Kiama Surf Lifesaving Club
- Site G: Commonwealth Bank
- Corner Sites.
Following feedback received during the exhibition period it is being recommended that the maximum building heights be reverted to the existing height control of 11m (3 storeys) within Town Centre apart from:
- The southern side of Terralong Street, between Thomson Street and Collins Street
- Parts of Kiama Centrepoint Shopping Mall
- The Akuna Street strategic site
A key attraction of any town centre is the activity generated along the street.
Detailed pedestrian-scale physical and visual environments, viewed at walking speed, and combined with ‘active’ uses such as shops, cafés and restaurants, are key success factors in creating and sustaining pedestrian activity.
The proposed primary active street frontages are shown in the map below via the red lines.
As part of the Kiama Town Centre DCP Review, a digital 3D Model of the existing buildings and other prominent elements of the Town Centre has been constructed.
The Model uses the latest technology to deliver three dimensional representation of local buildings and the environment of the Kiama Town Centre.
The aim of the 3D Model is to provide greater capabilities for data-driven decision making by Council on local planning projects.
Council will require the submission of 3D digital models for future Development Applications (DA) for development within the Town Centre.
This information will facilitate greater community engagement at DA stage and for Council work projects.
Recommendations
Following feedback received during the exhibition period it is being recommended that the maximum building heights be reverted to the existing height control of 11m (3 storeys) within Town Centre apart from:
- The southern side of Terralong Street, between Thomson Street and Collins Street;
- Parts of Kiama Centrepoint Shopping Mall, and
- The Akuna Street strategic site.
How to interpret the Model
The white/cream ‘boxes’ represent the existing buildings within the town centre.
The transparent blue ‘boxes’ represent the proposed building heights within the town centre.
Using the Model
You can interact directly with the 3D Model here:
Alternatively, you can view our series of printable views of the model:
Kiama-Model-Aerial_1.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
Kiama-Model-Akuna-St-Existing-Controls.pdf(PDF, 868KB)
Kiama-Model-Akuna-St-Proposed-Controls.pdf(PDF, 827KB)
Kiama-Model-Birds-Eye-Existing-Controls.pdf(PDF, 2MB)
Kiama-Model-Birds-Eye-Proposed-Controls.pdf(PDF, 2MB)
Kiama-Model-Civic-Precinct-Existing-Controls.pdf(PDF, 678KB)
Kiama-Model-Civic-Precinct-Proposed-Controls.pdf(PDF, 722KB)
Kiama-Model-Collins-St.pdf(PDF, 552KB)
Kiama-Model-Collins-St-No-Trees.pdf(PDF, 418KB)
Kiama-Model-Collins-St-No-Trees-Proposed-Akuna-St.pdf(PDF, 418KB)
Kiama-Model-Hindmarsh-Park.pdf(PDF, 430KB)
Kiama-Model-Hindmarsh-Park-No-Trees.pdf(PDF, 243KB)
Kiama-Model-Terralong-St-looking-East.pdf(PDF, 269KB)
Kiama-Model-Terralong-St-looking-East-Shadows-21June-12pm.pdf(PDF, 287KB)
Kiama-Model-Terralong-St-looking-West.pdf(PDF, 288KB)
Kiama-Model-Terralong-St-looking-West-Shadows-21June-12pm.pdf(PDF, 256KB)
Two workshops were held in December 2021 with Council’s Community Review Panel.
The workshops reviewed the documentation Studio GL had developed on behalf of Council.
The Community Review Panel gave feedback that a 3rd storey was a limitation to feasible development and that a further additional, recessed storey (where suitable) would be more viable, tasteful, feasible and consistent with other regional towns.
As a result, amendments were made to the draft Topic 12.7 document that proposes a further increase to maximum building heights and setbacks.
The draft DCP and associated documents were on exhibition from Monday 28 February to Monday 28 March.
