SECURING OUR FUTURE - KIAMA GREENS POLICY

Tourism Policy

Aspiration:-

A thriving tourism industry in the Kiama LGA that provides a wide range of year-round attractions to visitors while sensitive to and promoting the local ecology, culture and heritage and having minimal impact on the lives of the local community.

Tourism in the Kiama Local Government Area should demonstrate to visitors How and why we live here but should not Impact on our way of life

Kiama Greens recognise:-

  1. the important contribution tourism makes to the local economy

  2. The different demands and opportunities of the local winter and summer tourist seasons.

  3. the broad range of accommodation types required in coastal tourism

  4. the accessability of Kiama Municipality

  5. the popularity of backpacker and car touring activities

  6. the potential for tourism based activities to impact on the amenity locals enjoy

  7. the likelihood of increased pressure from local tourism as major new residential areas come on line to the north of Kiama(Shellharbour and Wollongong LGAs)

  8. that the quality of tourism is as important as much as the quantity

  9. the need to support winter tourism opportunities which move Kiama away from an economic reliance on beaches and overflowing accommodation in summer, to regular low-key events promoted to the Sydney market for weekenders and day trippers.

Kiama Greens Councillors will work to:-

  1. support low impact, low scale tourism developments based around the coastal and agricultural lifestyles and natural features of the area
  1. support Heritage and Cultural tourism which celebrate the municipality's distinctive character

  2. ensure that tourism activities respect and protect the natural and social capital of the area and work to link tourism development and programs with social needs and employment gaps in the area

  3. support tourism activities which increase understanding of the natural qualities of the area and contribute to their conservation

  4. support tourism activities which enhance cultural opportunities for locals as well as visitors

  5. support tourism activities which provide training programs attracting federal and state grants

  6. encourage tourism businesses to develop environmentally sustainable practices through their operations

  7. identify areas where infrastructure to support the impact of tourism is inadequate so that Section 94 contributions from developments with a tourism focus can fund the impacts of those developments

  8. oppose artificially themed type tourism developments (e.g. The BIG Banana) particularly where they do not relate to local character

  9. ensure that coastal tourist facilities, (including those owned and/or managed by Kiama Council) do not reduce the opportunities for locals to access the coast and beaches

  10. continue to support the proposal for the nationally significant Coastal WalkingTrack along the length of the Municipality.

  11. promote lifestyle tourism that emphasises health and fitness development

  12. promote tourism facilities that are ecologically sensitive and promote sustainable living styles.