Developer touts eco lodge design
“Touching the earth lightly” is the theme being used for so-called “concept eco-lodges” planned for Killalea Public Park as a result of a secretive deal between the State Government and developers Killalea Coastal Developments.
Spokesman for the developers, Peter White, claims the concept plan will provide “additional facilities and amenities for the local community and visitors with minimal impact on the park in a manner consistent with the Plan of Management under which the Crown Land is able to be used”.
The eco-lodge design, according to Mr White, “illustrate(s) the ecologically sensitive footprint (with) each lodge touching the earth lightly”.
Mr White says there is “a significant ongoing budgetary commitment to replace noxious non-native weeds with trees and plants that are native to the local area.”
The concept eco-resort at Killalea was designed to provide enhanced amenity and unrestricted access by the community to the park, he said.
It improved, rather than limited, access for anyone who wishes to walk, visit, surf in or simply enjoy the parklands or beach, he claimed.
Improvements associated with the eco-resort concept would include improved public access involving a sealed road to the beach and a new parking area convenient to the beach; nature trails, walkways, boardwalks and cycle tracks; a new education centre; educational signage and a new kiosk.
“There have been and will continue to be meetings with community groups to provide information and discuss issues relating to the eco-resort proposal,” White said.
Member for Kiama Matt Brown defended claims by the Lake Times that he was fence-sitting on the Killalea development issue.
“As my colleague Tony Kelly has said – we’re in a contractual arrangement and Killalea development is going ahead,” Mr Brown said. “Killalea needs facilities to enable the Park to properly fulfil its role as a State Recreation Reserve. Killalea is a recreation park, there for everyone to use.”
“Recreation reserves, state wide, charge an admission fee. The Killalea community has said a loud and clear NO to an entry fee. In order to avoid a fee, other methods such as tourist accommodation or other funding must be considered.”
“The proposed building envelope will occupy just 1 per cent of the total site at Killalea, well away from the beachfront and proximate to existing residential buildings.”
“I agree with the community, that good facilities, roads and security should be available – and that we should be encouraging visitation and recreation, not discouraging it by imposing entry fees where sound alternatives exist.”
“The Government has listened to the community and the Trust, and has entered into arrangements considering their input.”
A spokesperson for the Save Killalea Alliance, Sonya McKay, said the developers, the NSW Government and local politicians including Mr Brown were conveniently ignoring the fact that more than 15,000 signatures had been collected opposing the leasing and development of Killalea State Park.
Shellharbour Lake Times - 26 September 2007
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