As Kiama Council finalises its report on the inclusion of a Gerringong property in its Employment Lands Strategy, an “old bull, young bull” grapple between landowners Wes Hindmarsh and Derek McMahon is being played out.

Hindmarsh, a fifth-generation landholder, is publicly voicing his concerns that including McMahon’s 5 Sims Road property in Kiama’s Employment Lands Strategy undermines protections for the region’s western rolling hills.

Hindmarsh is a name which echoes throughout the history of the LGA and with a parcel of land passed down through the family since the mid 1800s – the family legacy is shaped not by tradition alone, but by a commitment to doing what is right. 

Supported by neighbours Bill Folder and Brian Whatman, they shared a flurry of concerns with The Bugle which Hindmarsh says “flies in the face of the objectives of the zones [in the Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011]” with the catastrophic potential to impact the local biosecurity, agricultural activity and the region’s tourism appeal.

“The thing that grabs me about the whole development is the impact on the activities we undertake here, which could introduce seriously harmful weed seeds to rural lands,” Hindmarsh said.

“It [5 Sims Road] is also in close proximity to the Crooked River Estate vineyard whose owner has invested heavily in the future of the winery and restaurant and shares the biosecurity concerns for the vineyard.

“If it is to be placed into the Employment Lands Strategy, this will introduce industrialisation and in future years from now, the beautiful rolling hills won’t exist, I believe.” 

Currently the land surrounding 5 Sims Road is under Zone RU1 Primary Production in the Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011, and Hindmarsh believes the Employment Lands Strategy will impede on the listed objectives of the Zone.

McMahon has been advocating for his land to be considered within the Strategy and although opinions differ, he still values his neighbours’ concerns. 

“No one likes change and no one wants it next door to them – that’s normal,” McMahon said.

“I sympathise for people where there will be an effect for those nearby or neighbouring, the same way that the Housing Strategy is going to affect people.”

McMahon concedes that while his approach is that of “a long view”, soil won’t be turned over straight away if it is successful in being included in the Employment Lands Strategy.

“Should it be identified, there is still a rigorous process in government before anything is approved,” he said.

“We can’t go down there and just do what we want the next day.”

For Hindmarsh and his neighbours, it’s not about being a NIMBY (not in my backyard), but more about protecting what is good for Gerringong and the local region.

“I’d like to keep things the way they are, but the arguments have got more gravity by the fact that what is being proposed is not a good fit for Gerringong,” Hindmarsh said.

“Kiama Council should seriously consider their position and if they are to honour the Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011, they wouldn’t proceed with approving that land as an industrial area because of the impact it will have on Gerringong now and into the future.

The view from the Crooked River Estate vineyard which could potentially have an industrial outlook if the 5 Sims Road is included into the Employment Lands Strategy. Photo: The Bugle

“It is vitally important that rural lands be preserved for agriculture in its many kinds so that the inhabitants of our growing nation can be reliably fed.”

Kiama Council Director of Strategies and Communities Ed Paterson said Council's planning instruments (i.e. Local Environment Plan and Development Control Plan) are constantly being updated to reflect our evolving world. 

"Strategies like the Employment Lands Strategy and the Housing Strategy contain actions to update the Planning instruments to ensure they are living documents," Paterson said. 

We want to hear from you - Take The Bugle survey here