By SARAH ALLELY
COMMUNITY representatives opposed to the lease of Killalea State Park land will demand more information at a meeting tonight with the trust in charge.
Meantime, Kiama Municipal Council last night strengthened its push to get the NSW Local Government Association to oppose the Killalea lease.
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. It allows 202 residential lodges, swimming pools, tennis courts, restaurants and a conference centre.
On August 7, Kiama Municipal Council voted to seek state-wide support to stop the plans, through a motion to be presented at the association's annual conference in October.
Deputy Mayor Howard Jones' notice of motion last night built on this. It asked the association to campaign to ensure proposed commercial developments on Crown land were compatible with public use, and to campaign for more open and transparent processes for commercial activities proposed in state parks.
The association would also be asked to ensure profits from developments on public land were returned to the community.
Tonight, community members will ask the Killalea State Park Trust to release the full, unmodified contract signed in April. The Department of Lands posted a revised annexure B concept plan on its website this month, after the Mercury asked why it was missing. A department spokesman said annexure B was a superceded and subsequently revised concept plan.
Save Killalea Alliance spokeswoman Sonya McKay asked why an annexure to a signed contract was modified. The group would also seek information on the tender evaluation and further financial information.
The department spokesman said it was not unusual to revise concept plans after agreements were signed.
Illawarra Mercury - 22 August 2007
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