Killalea family’s plea

BRENDAN CRABB

MEMBERS of the Killalea family have called on the State Government to protect Killalea State Park for future members of their own family and the public to enjoy.

About 70 descendants of the Killalea family from around Australia were in town last weekend for a family reunion, which coincided with a ceremony on Saturday where The Farm beach was declared as a national surfing reserve.

Leanne Kellalea, 50, lives in Melbourne and is a fifth generation direct descendant of Edward and Maria Killalea.

Ms Kellalea was one of many family members who also attended a public rally at the park’s undercover kiosk on Sunday in opposition to the proposed development.

Also protesting at the rally were members of the Aboriginal and surfing communities, the Save Killalea Alliance, Illawarra Community and Environment Connection coordinator and rally organiser Sonya McKay and members of the public.

“We don’t want the development to go ahead, we’re totally against it. It’s a reserve for the public,” Ms Kellalea said. “We’ve all grown up with it and all of our past family has too… we want the future Killalea’s to enjoy it as we did, as well as future generations and the public too.”

The dedication ceremony, rally and Killalea family reunion followed a shock move by Shellharbour City Council administrator David Jesson who stunned the gallery at last Tuesday’s council meeting by requesting that Minister for Planning Kristina Keneally return the decision-making process for the proposed development at Killalea State Park to the council.

During urgent business Mr Jesson said the council was adequately equipped to make the determination on the proposed development.

In April 2007, Lands Minister Tony Kelly signed an agreement to lease three sections of Crown land at the park for 52 years to Killalea Coastal Investments (KCI), a joint venture of Babcock and Brown and Mariner Financial, to build 202 units, tennis courts, restaurants, a conference centre and other facilities.

Babcock and Brown have since been placed under administration, with Mariner Financial assuming control of KCI.

In August last year, the proposed resort was reduced to 106 units and other amenities. In March this year, Ms Keneally declared that the Killalea development would be assessed as a Major Project of State and Regional Environmental Significance, meaning she would make the determination on the scaled back application.

The fact that council is currently under administration played a role in her decision.

Mr Jesson said considering the development had been reduced in both bulk and scale the council has requested the minister reconsider the ‘state significance’ that has been attached to the proposal.

“It was a simple request. I was aware that this matter had some history and given the reduction in the proposal’s density I thought it would be reasonable for the Minister to reconsider her decision.”

A spokesperson for Ms Keneally said the project was called in for assessment by the State Government for a number of reasons, including that it is a state park and is on Crown land.

“I understand the process is ongoing and the Department of Planning is awaiting more details on the project from the proponent,” the spokesperson said.

Save Killalea Alliance spokesperson Mairi Petersen said she was surprised but pleased with Mr Jesson’s announcement.

“It should never have been sent off to the Minister and it’s good that he wants council to have control of the development,” she said. “In this (economic) climate and with their financial difficulties, who knows if they (KCI) can put in a development application, or who will put in a DA.”

This follows Minister for Lands Tony Kelly announcing last week that he had been assured by Mariner Financial that it would continue with their plans to develop the eco-tourist resort, despite the company’s recent suspension in trading.

Saturday’s dedication ceremony made Killalea the fifth surfing reserve to be declared in NSW and the seventh nationwide.

Surfers and community members were joined by the Killalea family at the event. Steve Killalea trekked from Brisbane to address the gathering.