Bombo Quarry works are set to be declared a State Significant Development. Photo: Kiama Municipal Council.
Long-awaited rehabilitation of Bombo Quarry into future housing has taken a major step forward, after recommendations the proposed works be declared a State Significant Development.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully made the announcement, following a recommendation from the Independent Planning Commission (IPC).
This advice from the IPC followed a ministerial call-in request from the NSW Transport Asset Manager and Boral, supported by Urbis, to recognise the state importance of the rehabilitation project.
Last year, Boral and the NSW Government revealed they had begun plans for the site’s future after reaching the end of its life as a site for quarrying ballast, aggregates and road base, which included a possible 2000 homes.
Kiama Council’s Mayor Cameron McDonald welcomed the news and what it meant for Kiama’s future, having long been identified as a potential solution for Kiama’s housing shortage.
“Bombo Quarry is one of the most prominent sites in our local landscape, and how it is rehabilitated will shape Kiama’s future for generations,” Cr McDonald said.
“This site is one of the Urban Expansion Areas identified in council’s recently adopted Local Housing Strategy potential greenfield opportunity.”
Cr McDonald said the Bombo Quarry development was adjacent to council’s own landholdings at Spring Creek, on which it was working with the NSW Government to get the restrictive covenant lifted.
He said this was so it could create further housing and employment land opportunities in the key urban expansion area for the local government area.
“We know that our community has long anticipated this area’s redevelopment,” he said.
“Declaring the project state significant will give our community confidence that the highest standards of planning, consultation, and delivery will apply.”
Mr Scully said the IPC’s advice made clear that its rehabilitation was a matter of state importance.
“Bombo Quarry has played a significant role in the state’s infrastructure and construction story for decades,” he said.
“The rehabilitation of the site is an important step in the implementation of Kiama Council’s housing plans so this provides another opportunity for the Minns Government and Kiama Council to work together on good housing solutions for Kiama.”
In its correspondence to Mr Scully, the commission said the proposal was of state significance under section 4.36 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
This was despite the project not meeting the statutory thresholds in the State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021, instead warranting consideration as state significant due to its broader significance.
The commission’s advice has now been made publicly available, consistent with legislative requirements, and the minister has accepted the IPC’s recommendation and will declare the Bombo Quarry rehabilitation works a state significant development.
Member-elect for Kiama Katelin McInerney said it was an important milestone for the community.
“The rehabilitation of Bombo Quarry has been talked about for many years, and it’s clear the scale and complexity of the project means it should be treated as state significant,” she said.
“I welcome the commission’s recommendation and the attention it brings to getting the best possible outcome for the people of Kiama.”
