Kiama Council's Mayor Cameron McDonald has welcomed this morning's announcement from NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully that the Bombo Quarry rehabilitation works be declared a State Significant Development.
"Bombo Quarry is one of the most prominent sites in our local landscape, and how it is rehabilitated will shape Kiama's future for generations," Mayor McDonald said.
This site is one of the Urban Expansion Areas identified in Council's recently adopted Local Housing Strategy potential greenfield opportunity.
"The Bombo Quarry development is adjacent to Council's own landholdings at Spring Creek, on which we're working with the NSW Government to get the restrictive covenant lifted so we can create further housing and employment land opportunity in this key urban expansion area for our LGA," said the Mayor.
"We know that our community has long anticipated this area's redevelopment. Declaring the project State significant will give our community confidence that the highest standards of planning, consultation, and delivery will apply. Cr McDonald said.
Minister Scully said: "Bombo Quarry has played a significant role in the State's infrastructure and construction story for decades. The Independent Planning Commission's advice makes clear that its rehabilitation is a matter of State importance.
"The rehabilitation of the site is an important step in the implementation of Kiama Council's housing plans so this provides another opportunity for the Minns Government and Kiama Council to work together on good housing solutions for Kiama."
Member-elect for Kiama Katelin McInerny said: "This is an important milestone for our community. The rehabilitation of Bombo Quarry has been talked about for many years, and it's clear the scale and complexity of the project means it should be treated as State significant.
"I welcome the Commission's recommendation and the attention it brings to getting the best possible outcome for the people of Kiama."
Mayor McDonald said: "Kiama Council looks forward to working closely with the Government and the proponents as this process moves ahead."
Background:
The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) recommended that proposed rehabilitation works at Bombo Quarry in Kiama be declared State significant development (SSD).
The advice follows a Ministerial call-in request from the NSW Transport Asset Manager and Boral, supported by Urbis, to recognise the State importance of the rehabilitation project.
In its correspondence to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Commission concluded that the proposal is of State significance under section 4.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
While the project does not meet the statutory thresholds in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021, the Commission found the development warranted consideration as SSD due to its broader planning significance.
The Commission's advice has now been made publicly available, consistent with legislative requirements.
The Minister has accepted the IPC's recommendation and will declare the Bombo Quarry rehabilitation works State significant development.
