The character of Jamberoo may become better protected, with new heritage items being considered. Photo: Kiama Municipal Council.
Kiama community members are being urged to have their say on preserving the heritage value of the historic Jamberoo village, with a report that outlines the next steps and new potential sites to be protected now on public exhibition.
The Jamberoo Heritage Review has been years in the making, with dozens of sites inspected and assessed to determine recommended additions, removals and modifications to Kiama’s local environment plan.
The review suggests two new heritage conservation areas and 14 new heritage items, seven of which are supported by an independent peer review.
Identified sites include the Jamberoo RSL hall and sandstone wall, the house ‘Elsmere’, the doctors surgery on Churchill Street, a Glen Murcott designed house on Clover Hill Road and cottages on Drualla Road, Churchill Street and Chapel Lane.
After the project was initially prepared and consulted on between 2021 and 2023, community feedback prompted it to be paused, with an independent peer review then carried out.
Now the community is being urged to again have their say on the way the town will be protected, with the Jamberoo Heritage Review 2021 and Independent Peer Review 2023 on public exhibition.
Although the assessments are ongoing, potentially affected property owners have already been engaged as part of the process.
“The information session was well attended and provided affected property owners with information on the heritage review project, how their property may be affected, the benefits of heritage listing, and the proposed next steps,” Kiama Council Director of Strategies and Communities Ed Paterson said.
The reports are available to the public online with pop-up community drop-in sessions to be held on Wednesday 5 November from 3 to 6 pm at the Kiama Farmers Market and on Thursday 6 November from 4 to 6 pm at the Jamberoo IGA.
Council’s strategic planning team is also available weekday mornings between 9 and 11 am at the Planning and Development Hub at 32 Manning Street, or by appointment.
The heritage advisor is also available by appointment to assist with more complex enquiries.
Feedback received will inform a planning proposal to amend the heritage register and a future report to be considered by council to commence the gateway process.
The gateway process is expected to take about 12 months, with the Jamberoo Heritage Review likely to be completed by mid-2026.
The community can access the reports and have their say on the Your Say Kiama website until 30 November.
