Killalea group demands talks with Govt
By SARAH ALLELY
STATE Government ministers have been asked to meet a delegation from the South Coast Labour Council and other community representatives opposed to the proposed Killalea development - or risk industrial action to stop the plan.
The demand was made at a large community meeting last night in Shellharbour.
Australian Workers Union branch secretary Andy Gillespie told a packed Shellharbour Links Golf Club room that unions had not put a green ban on - yet.
"But a good thing about Killalea is there's only one road into that place," he said to loud applause.
Urgent answers were demanded by the meeting, which expressed outrage that the NSW Government had signed an agreement to lease three parcels of Killalea land to developer Mariner Financial to build a tourism resort.
The estimated 120 people at the meeting agreed to meet again within 21 days to consider the Government's response.
Labour council secretary Arthur Rorris said he had been told it would be bad for industry and employment if the unions used their muscle to stop construction work.
"But I'm proud my members can see beyond their noses to stop the spoiling of pristine coastal land," Mr Rorris said.
The assortment of people opposed to the development last night formed the Save Killalea Alliance and representatives will join labour council delegates to try to meet with government ministers and MPs.
The Killalea State Park trust and the Government have repeatedly said people should save judgment until the development plans are submitted.
Tourism Minister and Kiama MP Matt Brown told the Mercury yesterday that given its size, the development would likely bypass Shellharbour City Council and go straight to the Department of Planning for approval.
Mr Brown said claims that the development had been kept secret were unfounded.
"The public should know what's going on, there's been a lot of interest in this in the last four years," he said.
"But there are some things that need to be kept under wraps for some good reasons."
Representatives from a number of trade unions also spoke at last night's meeting.
Illawarra Mercury - 30 May 2007
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