'Why we must develop Killalea'
By SARAH ALLELY
THE Killalea State Park Trust has operated at a surplus for the past two years, but chairman Ed Gilmore says a planned private resort remains necessary.
"It takes a lot of money to actually develop the park," Mr Gilmore said.
The trust's 2005-06 annual report showed a fairly healthy organisation, with a surplus of more than $60,000, and of more than $100,000 the previous year.
Mr Gilmore has in the past complained about the trust's financial woes, and said plans to lease land to a developer were the only solution.
On April 30, NSW Lands Minister Tony Kelly signed an agreement to lease three parcels of park land for 52 years to Killalea Coastal Investments, a joint venture between Mariner Financial and Babcock & Brown.
It allows 202 residential lodges, swimming pools, tennis courts, restaurants and a conference centre.
The trust's annual reports were unavailable to the public earlier this year. However, amid a groundswell of concern about the lease, the Department of Lands has released more information.
Mr Gilmore, who also chairs the State Parks Advisory Board, said the trust's surpluses were new and a sign the park was in good hands.
He pointed to the trust's initiatives such as the work-for-the-dole program, environmental education centre, expanded camp ground, wedding rotunda and nursery.
He stressed the trust still relied on its annual $250,000 State Government grant, which he doubted would continue.
"We are waiting anxiously to see if we get any funding at the end of August," he said.
"But $250,000 is going to be grossly inadequate to develop this park.
"We have to be self-sufficient."
That self-sufficiency involves the helping hand of the developers, who are on the brink of submitting a development application.
The company paid the trust about $800,000, when the Minister signed the agreement to lease, to be used for legal fees and infrastructure such as finishing the road to The Farm beach.
The developer's funds are being used to seal the road built in 2004 and complete two car parks. The trust will put a development application to Shellharbour City Council soon for a third car park level, amenities blocks and disabled access to a sandy patch south of the rocky outcrop at The Farm.
Mr Gilmore said in a few weeks surfers could park in full view of the surf. To reach the main beach visitors would need to walk over the rocks.
He was surprised to be shown the existing road through the park littered with hazardous pot holes, and promised to look into it.
The annual report shows vehicle visits increased from 94,243 in 2005 to 103,303 in 2006, and camping numbers doubled.
More than 4000 students visited the environmental education centre.
Up until June last year, the Trust had paid consultants $268,491.
'$250,000 is going to be grossly inadequate to develop this park. We have to be self-sufficient.'
Illawarra Mercury - 10 August 2007
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