Kiama Cove Motel in Bong Bong St, the second last remaining old school motel in Kiama, is to close soon for redevelopment.

Once known as The Pines Motel and Sandy’s Restaurant, the prized site overlooking Surf Beach holds fond memories for many locals and regular visitors, including Councillor Matt Brown, head of the Destination Kiama Tourism Advisory Committee.

It was built by Matt’s step-grandfather, the late John French, and the 1990s saw Matt working in the restaurant.

“It’s a great shame that yet another motel has gone,” says Cllr Brown.

“And that’s come about because we no longer have a specific tourism zoning in Kiama’s LEP.

“That means developers can acquire existing motels and redevelop them as residences and so we lose that type of accommodation.”

Motel 617, in Manning Street, the other remaining motel in Kiama has recently been sold, and is likely to be redeveloped for more apartments.

“Motels cater to an important part of the tourism sector,” says Cllr Brown.

“All of our motels are booked out over summer, as are our Airbnb and caravan parks.

“People having weddings or family reunions in Kiama just can’t find enough accommodation,”

The Kiama Cove site will ultimately have two serviced apartments on the lower ground floor; six serviced apartments, a caretakers apartment and three commercial tenancies on the ground floor; 12 residential apartments on the second and third floors; and 48 car parking spaces in the basement.

The lower and ground floor serviced apartments will, in a way, act to cover some of the loss of motel accommodation.

 “It’s good to see that some of the recent developments have decided not to be all permanent residential,” says Cllr Brown, pointing to the Nova Apartments at the back of The Grand Hotel in Bong Bong St.

“If you want to get out and about and enjoy Kiama, and all you want is to sleep at night, these places are very comfortable and affordable.”

The development of this site follows the sale and development in 2015 of Kiama Ocean View Motor Inn across the road.

A fun fact for those who have always puzzled over the name Motel 617. Long time locals remember it as the exchange telephone number.