For years, a developer has tried to fill the wetlands upstream of Wowly Creek to build houses. Twice, Shoalhaven Council voted unanimously against it, but the developer achieved gateway approval from the NSW Regional Planning Panel. Callala residents and friends made over 300 submissions to the Planning Panel, 98% opposed, and the Panel held an online meeting where they heard in detail the reasons that the Wowly Wetlands should not be rezoned from Conservation for a subdivision.
But once again environmental science and community voices were overruled.
The Panel voted 4-1 to approve, with only Councillor Peter Wilkins dissenting. Lou Casmiri, our Ward 2 Councillor, voted with the majority to risk destroying Wowly Creek for around a dozen expensive houses that will likely add to Callala's 50% tally of holiday homes.
Of just over 300 community submissions, 98% objected. Liza Butler MP objected. Scientists who actually understand Wowly Creek's fragility objected. But the Panel deemed all concerns "adequately addressed." Translation: we heard you but we don't care.
The Planning Panel has shown their political masters that they are all for building new houses. But what about Bioretention basins? Sediment controls? The issue of 16,000 tonnes of fill that will require 537 truckloads driving through Callala? All deferred to the development application stage. Meaning the hard decisions happen later when the community may not even have the opportunity to comment.
Wowly Creek matters. The Glider Forest matters. Science matters. Future generations matter. Callala matters. But apparently not enough to place value on our land and sea beyond real estate profits.
It would deliver almost no new housing—what little is built will be expensive, and likely used for short-term rentals, not homes for locals. The developer must truck in 16,000 tonnes of fill, cut a new road, and dig drainage channels—putting wetlands, flora, fauna and our community's most adored asset at risk. Approving rezoning here sets a dangerous precedent for sacrificing precious environmental land to profit under the false banner of “affordable housing.”
The site of the proposed subdivision on Sealark Rd, next to National Park, is not in any approved growth strategy.
The land is currently zoned environmental, with Gang-gang Cockatoos, kangaroos and (since the the landowner stopped slashing) regenerating native bush that serves as a natural buffer protecting the Wowly Creek estuary from pollution..
A housing subdivision would threaten not only Wowly Creek but also the Jervis Bay Marine Park.
We acknowledge the Jerrinja people, the Traditional Custodians of this land. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waters, and culture. This land has always been and always will be Aboriginal land.
