Mr Homer goes to Macquarie Street to save the farm

Chris Homer, Peter Moran and John Davey went to Macquarie Street to save the farm.

Representing a disparate group of surfers, Shellharbour residents and the wider NSW beachgoer community, they descended on NSW Parliament on Thursday, determined to stop a multimillion-dollar tourism development at the Killalea State Park, popularly known as The Farm.

Shellharbour MP Anna Watson with protest leaders Peter Moran, John Davey and Chris Homer outside NSW Parliament House.Credit:Louise Kennerley

Nearly 700 surfers earlier this month took to the water in an unofficial world-record paddle out protest against the development. After meeting with the protest leaders last Thursday, the NSW government appeared to go to water over the development. It refused to guarantee the tourism centre, near Shellharbour south of Wollongong, would proceed.

In October 2019, the government announced a $6.5 million grant for the proposed centre, including a 200-seat function room, 15 luxury cabins, 53 camping sites, fitness facilities and a second access road, inside the park. The manager of the crown land site, Reflections Holiday Parks, also promised to plough $4 million into the project.

Numerous community members, however, galvanised to keep the 265ha park intact. The Farm first gained fame in the 1960s, with its name bestowed by surfers having to traverse cow paddocks to access the beach. The Farm and nearby Mystics have been national surfing reserves since 2009.

Mr Homer, Killalea National Surfing Reserve committee chairman, said the meeting with NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey and Shellharbour MP Anna Watson was a success.

Killalea paddle out protest at The Farm near Shellharbour.Credit:Warren Keelan

“I think the fact the minister was open to sitting down with people like me shows that they are open and receptive to our concerns,” he said.

“It’s time for Killalea State Park to go back to a community-based trust as the current professional trust held by Reflections Holiday Parks has failed to satisfy community expectations in this role, particularly in regard to the recent development proposal.

“I think a National Parks and Wildlife Service takeover of the management is looking like the best option. If the locals are involved through a trust style steering committee we’ll get the best outcome.

“I believe the transition process for the future of Killalea and its management is under way.”

Beachgoers at Killalea State Park, better known as The Farm.Credit:Adam McLean

Ms Pavey said the community representatives had raised some important points in ensuring the area remained in its present state.

“We will work with the community group to ensure the best solution for both the taxpayers of NSW and the local community,” she said.

Kiama MP Gareth Ward last week released a statement on his Facebook page stating that the tourism centre was unwanted by the local community.

“I believe the transition process for the future of Killalea and its mangement is underway.”

The Liberal MP, who moved to the crossbench on Thursday evening after sexual allegations dating back to 2013 became public, wants the management of the Farm transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Mr Ward denies the allegations against him.

In October 2019, Mr Ward had announced on behalf of the government its $6.5million grant for the proposed redevelopment.

“The process of public consultation undertaken by Reflections Holiday Parks has been nothing short of abysmal,” he said.

Mr Pavey declined to comment on the push to remove Reflections Holiday Parks as crown land manager.

Reflections Holiday Parks was contacted for comment.

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