Remembering our stone walls
Kieran is Athlete of the Year
p3
p3
New life for Greyleigh
Vale Gordon Streek p5
Keeping alert to DAs p8
p11
16 OCT 2021
Latest record: $7m sale in Gerroa Another staggering property record was set last week in Gerroa as a three bedroom home, which previously sold for $1.1million in July 2010, went off-market to Sydney buyers for $7.1 million. “I originally listed the property for sale in March last year, just as the COVID pandemic was escalating, with an asking price of $2.9 million,” says sales agent Ryan Stalgis from First National Coast & Country. “However the vendors then decided not to sell so that they could continue living there through the pandemic. “Last week I secured a buyer at $7.1 million. “The vendors are obviously thrilled with the result, and the purchasers, who had been looking for a very particular position in Gerroa, are excited to have secured a property in this coveted location.” The sale of 138 Headland Drive is a new record for Gerroa. It is almost $2 million above the previous record set in June this year ($5.26 million for 160 Headland Drive). The north-easterly waterfront reserve position of the home at 138 was its greatest asset. Another property, just doors along from this one at 148 Headland Drive, sold in September for $4.545m – it
was a one bedroom weatherboard home built in 1950. “This is the strongest I have ever seen the property market, and Gerroa in particular,” says Mr Stalgis. Although the recent lockdowns have reduced the amount of physical inspections being conducted, he says there is still a very high level of demand from buyers. “One property I sold this month had over 1,300 enquiries. We’ve been conducting video inspections for buyers who can’t travel, and I’ve had several sales recently where the purchaser bought the property sight unseen.”
by Perrie Croshaw
The north-east view from 138 Headland Drive, Gerroa
Why Hindmarsh Pk is getting the $3m The news of the $3 million redevelopment of Hindmarsh Park left many wondering why it was decided to spend all that money there. The money is coming from the State Government’s NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program. The Program was set up as a carrot for local councils to improve DA processing times, and Kiama Council has met the first milestone for the funding. “The funding conditions
for the program were strictly limited to major upgrades to major recreational or open space areas,” says Council’s Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd. “We looked at options of spreading the project funding amongst a couple of areas, including Gerringong. “But in our conversations with the State Government, they said they wanted one site to do major work and major refurbishment on.
Phone: 42322757
21B Barney Street, KIAMA
“As there were Council resolutions about putting the rocket ship back or doing something more with the space, it was a logical thing to say let’s focus on Hindmarsh Park and do something great.” Council still tried to spread the funding out in its application, to include works in the Harbour precinct leading up to Blowhole Point, but the approval narrowed it to in and around Hindmarsh Park.
Fax: 4232 2676 ksmr@bigpond.com
After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
While the project is still at the concept stage, Mr Dowd says the vision is for it to include greater accessibility for people with disabilities, engagement with the youth as part of the design process, and improved pedestrian crossings facilities across Shoalhaven Street to create seamless connectivity down to the harbour. “That’s where we want a landscape architect and the community to build off the
big broad concepts to tell us the detail of what we want,” he says. Tenders from landscape architects are currently being assessed, and Mr Dowd hopes the recommendation to award the tender will be put to the October Meeting of Council. “We won’t know what the community engagement process looks like in detail until then because each of
continued on p10
ALL MECHANICAL REPAIRS • LOG BOOK SERVICING • BRAKE & CLUTCH SPECIALIST • AUTO ELECTRICAL REPAIRS SMASH REPAIRS • INSURANCE CLAIMS & PRIVATE WORK • WINDSCREENS • TOWING TYRES • BALANCE AND ROTATION • FULL RANGE AVAILABLE REGISTRATIONS • PINK SLIPS – CAR, VAN, BIKE, TRAILERS