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Kiama Council covers an area of 259 square kilometres and forms part of the Illawarra Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated on the coast about 120 kilometres south of Sydney and lies immediately below Wollongong - Shellharbour urban area. The Kiama Council area stretches from Minnamurra River in the north, down to and including part of Seven Mile Beach National Park in the south and out west to Kangaroo River.
The Council area was originally settled in the 1820's by timbercutters, and its development between the 1840's and the 1950's was centred around the dairy and blue metal mining industries, with fishing and tourism playing minor roles.
In 2006 the Kiama population is estimated to be around 20,382 (ABS Estimated resident population at June 2006).
The Kiama community is very aware of the unique environmental and lifestyle qualities of the area. Its accessibility to nearby centres of employment in Wollongong and Sydney make it attractive to people prepared to commute to those centres for work.
Recent planning processes and studies which have examined future growth options have indicated community support for pursuing policies aimed at containing the growth of urban areas in order to protect the character of the area and in particular its agricultural land and natural areas and biodiversity they support. Moreover, studies and discussion papers prepared by both Council and the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning recognise environmental and other constraints to significant expansion of Kiama's urban areas.
Kiama with its exceptional quality of life and lifestyle opportunities and being situated between Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven Cities has considerable appeal to mobile/affluent younger people (especially families). It is also an attractive retirement centre for more affluent older age groups seeking a quality living environment sufficiently remote from the Sydney metropolis but still within easy reach of the city and services and amenities it provides.
Kiama is also well placed to take advantage of services available in Wollongong a little over 30 minutes travel time to the north. Wollongong, as the Illawarra Regional Centre, offers a wide range of educational facilities including the University of Wollongong.
Wollongong also offers a cosmopolitan centre catering for a wide range of cultural and entertainment interests. It is the headquarters for many regional offices of both Federal and State Government agencies. The Wollongong CBD provides a high standard of retail and commercial services generally comparable to those available in Sydney subregional centres.
The Wollongong CBD commercial areas and the industrial estates and educational institutions provide a source of employment catering for a wide range of skilled/unskilled jobs which is accessible and within reasonable travel times from Kiama and Gerringong/Gerroa.
Kiama in turn provides recreational opportunities for Sydney, Wollongong, Shellharbour and Southern Highlands residents. These include water sports, surfing, fishing, bush walking and weekend retreats.
Kiama is renowned as a tourist destination for day trippers, weekenders and vacationers with its wide range of tourist facilities and accommodation that caters for all markets.
Infrastructure and Services.
(a) Transportation
Kiama Municipality is well served by transportation infrastructure - both road and rail.
The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority has prepared EIS's for upgrading the Highway to dual (4 lane) carriageway standards from Yallah to Bombo thereby linking up with the similar standard Kiama By-Pass completed the end of 2005.
Kiama Municipality is fortunate in that its urban areas generally have access to the passenger services on the South Coast Railway. The rail link has been identified in the State Rail Strategic Plan 1994-2016 as being part of the City Rail outer suburban network with works for the electrified line from Dapto to Kiama was completed in 2002.
Bus services in the Illawarra Region and Kiama Municipality are provided exclusively by private operators. These are supplemented by local taxi and Council's Community Transport services. The Illawarra Sub-Committee of the Metropolitan Strategy Committee in June 1996 recommended a number of measures to improve transport infrastructure in the region including improved access by bus and rail to key transport destinations, sub-regional intermodel interchanges at key locations (including Kiama) and revised bus routes, timetabling and ticketing for greater integration with rail.
(b) Schools
Kiama Municipality is currently well catered for in both primary and secondary public educational facilities. Primary/Infants Schools are located at Kiama, Minnamurra, Jamberoo and Gerringong. A high school is located in Kiama town. A Catholic Primary School is also located in Kiama.
(c) Hospitals
Kiama District Hospital re-opened in 1997 providing a limited range of specialised services. District hospitals are located within 30 minutes drive from Kiama's urban areas. These hospitals are located at Blackbutt in Shellharbour City and at Nowra in Shoalhaven City.
A regional hospital for more specialised services is located in Wollongong which is approximately 30 minutes from Kiama and 50 minutes drive from the most distant urban area at Gerroa.
(d) Community Facilities
Kiama Council is responsible for a number of neighbourhood multi-purpose community facilities. These are located at Kiama, Kiama Downs, Gerringong/Gerroa and Jamberoo. It also makes available facilities for use by other community groups in the urban centres. Library facilities are also provided at Kiama and Gerringong.
Kiama Council provides an extensive range of community services which include:-
· Youth Services
· Children's Services
· Aged Services
. Community Nursing Services
. Home and Community Care Services
· Housing and Nursing Services for the aged
· Recreation Facilities
· Cultural Activities
. Library Services
. Services for people with a disablity
(e) Retail and Commercial Services
The Kiama Municipality is principally serviced by a "district" level retail and commercial centre at Kiama Central. This is supported by smaller neighbourhood/town centres at Kiama Downs, Gainsborough, Jamberoo and Gerringong. These vary in size with Gainsborough and Gerringong being the larger centres.
(f) Recreational/Tourist Facilities
Kiama Municipality is generally well catered for in terms of recreational facilities and passive open space.
By and large, most common outdoor sports are catered for including rugby league and rugby union, basketball, soccer, hockey, cricket, softball, baseball, netball and tennis.
An indoor recreation and leisure centre caters for swimming, basketball, gymnastics and fitness training.
The Municipality has many fine surfing beaches. Recreational fishing and boating opportunities, walking trails and cycleways and historic walks (featuring heritage buildings) cater for a wide range of passive recreational pursuits and interests.
These facilities also figure prominently among Kiama's tourist assets. Tourism is a significant income and employment generator for the Municipality.
Kiama Municipality caters well for tourists in all budget categories with the possible exception of the top end (5 star) of the tourism market. More information about visitors accommodation and facilities are found in the Kiama Tourism web page
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