Major planning approvals and resident objections dominated Kiama Council’s final meetings of the year, with a large housing subdivision approved and neighbours raising concerns over a Gerringong motel expansion.

A development application lodged by Gerringong’s Mercure Hotel drew objections from residents April Ruthengough and Gary Power, who aired their grievances at Kiama Council’s Public Access Meeting on Monday night about how the application was communicated to them.

The development application was for proposed alterations and additions to the Fern Street motel accommodation, including the construction of 22 rooms, along with a new building with car park and reception and spa/gym, pool, restaurant, as well as an upgrade of the existing car park and landscape gardens, with the development proposed over four stages.  

Ruthengough told the meeting that she and other residents had become aware of the DA in June following a letterbox drop.

“Since then, we have heard nothing, neither from the Mercure Hotel nor Kiama Council – this recent acknowledgement gave us merely a few days to submit our objections at that time,” she said.

“The proposed structures in this development plan are only 1.5 metres from my boundary. This is not a minor impact; it is an immediate and unavoidable impact on my home.”

Power, who lives on the southern boundary adjacent to the Mercure, said the proposed additions would turn neighbouring houses into fishbowls.

“The proposed external walkway will be going right onto our house, right onto our back door overlooking our dining areas, our living areas and our rear yard,” he said.

“Can we have it on the other side? I’ve put that forward in our complaints initially in writing and I just want to reiterate that now.”

Councillor Melissa Lawton asked for clarification on the concerns, with Ruthengough explaining that aside from the letterbox drop there had been “radio silence” until an email was received last Friday.

CEO Jane Stroud said Council needed to meet their statutory obligations and “I am very pleased that we did on this occasion”.

“Councillors received the information that you sent, but in that information, there’s a list of items that just don’t align with Council’s information.

“We process our development applications in line with our Community Participation Plan that is an adopted policy of Council that 14 days’ notice must be provided when a DA is out, and Kiama Council wrote to residents on 17 June 2025.

“Whether or not the developer or the applicant chooses to do additional engagement with residents and with affected landowners or go to any community meetings is a choice for the applicant, not for Council.”

Steve Bartlett, representing the property owner of the Gerringong Mercure, spoke in support of the DA and said he was not aware of any consultation between the property owner and neighbouring residents.

At the Kiama Council Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday night, the DA was debated further, with Councillors focusing on amendments to the proposed trading hours of the restaurant and function room.

After amending the proposed trading hours, councillors voted unanimously, 9–0, to approve the DA.

The meeting also considered a key component of the Local Housing Strategy and the South Kiama Urban Release. Councillors voted unopposed to approve the 40 Saddleback Mountain Road, Kiama Torrens Title subdivision.

The 40-hectare site will deliver approximately 380 residential lots, alongside open space, environmental conservation areas, stormwater management and essential infrastructure.

The agreement, signed by Council on 5 December, ensures infrastructure delivery associated with the development will progress.

Stroud described the Planning Agreement as a “major win” for the region.

“This Planning Agreement ensures that as new homes are built, the infrastructure and open spaces that make our Municipality such a special place will be delivered in step with growth,” Stroud said.

“It’s about balancing housing needs with environmental and heritage protection, and we’re proud of the collaborative approach that has achieved this outcome.”