Kiama is loved for its beauty, its village feel and the way the sea and escarpment hold us gently in place.

That sense of belonging is precious and worth defending.

But as we confront the pressures all coastal towns now face, housing affordability, shifting demographics and the pull of Sydney, there’s a simple truth we can no longer avoid: we either grow up a little, or we sprawl outward a lot.

And sprawl will change Kiama far more than a carefully considered increase in height.

Growing out: The quiet threat

Sprawl is seductive because it feels harmless, just a few more houses on the edge of town. But its consequences are anything but gentle.

It consumes farmland, fragments bushland and places permanent strain on the landscapes that give Kiama its identity.

It forces more cars onto our roads and locks every generation into long commutes just to get to school, work, services or the train.

Worst of all, sprawl makes our town more expensive to run. Roads, pipes, pathways, stormwater and community facilities all cost more per person when we stretch outward. Those bills eventually turn into rate rises, service reductions or both.

This is how towns lose the very liveability they once protected.

Growing up: A smarter, kinder alternative

Allowing some additional height, done thoughtfully, not carelessly, is a far gentler way to grow.

It means more housing choice for young people, key workers and downsizers who want lift access, walkability and community connection.

Also, a stronger, livelier town centre where local business is supported by people who live within walking distance.

It also means better use of existing infrastructure, which we’ve already paid for.

Most importantly, more protection for the rural and coastal landscapes that make Kiama what it is.

Height doesn’t erase character. Poor design does. And that’s where planning controls, community expectations and proper architectural standards matter.

If we demand beauty, public benefit and design excellence in exchange for height, we can build a skyline that complements, rather than compromises, our coast.

Keeping the Kiama we cherish

Our goal should never be height for height’s sake. It should be housing choice, environmental protection, good design, and long-term affordability.

When you look at it through that lens, a modest shift in height limits is not a threat; it’s a sensible, sustainable tool.

Growing up a little lets us avoid growing out a lot.

And growing out is where towns really lose their character.

If we want Kiama to remain one of the most liveable towns in Australia, as it has been recognised, then we need to make decisions that honour the community we are now and the one we hope to be in 30 years.

Good planning isn’t about choosing between the past and the future.

It’s about protecting what we love while making room for those who love Kiama too.

Environmentally, height wins every time if the design is good.

At this stage, nobody has determined the State Government’s view, but for a town like Kiama, here’s what I think: 8.5 metres high is safe, comfortable, heritage-friendly, 11-12 metres is the sweet spot for renewal and a healthy housing mix, 16 metres is aspirational, but defensible around hubs, hospitals and strategic corridors.

Anything above that needs a very compelling story, a benefit and a design you’re proud to live near.