What does a cabbage tree palm have to do with Kiama’s residential development debate?

A lot more than you might think!

A mature Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis) grows to about 15 metres — roughly the height of a four-storey building.

That’s why I'm proposing a “Cabbage Tree Palm Rule” for Kiama: no building should be taller than our iconic palms.

Here’s the thing: the NSW Government is framing this as an all-or-nothing choice — arguing that housing supply and affordability can only be solved by building a suite of 8-storey apartments in central Kiama.

That’s a false dichotomy.

Well-designed four-storey apartments, a la the Cabbage Tree Palm Rule, would also deliver hundreds of new homes without overwhelming our town or losing the character we all value.

Places like Bali manage growth by keeping buildings in proportion to their iconic palms. Why can't we?

Applying the same thinking here strikes the right balance: we can grow, meet housing needs, and still keep Kiama looking and feeling like Kiama.

The Cabbage Tree Palm Rule is simple, measurable, and meaningful. It reminds us that smart growth doesn’t mean ignoring scale or sense of place - it’s about balance.

Who’s with me!?

Mikayla Thompson-Jones