This Saturday the 1st of May at 10 am the Killalea National Surfing Reserve Committee will attempt a world record paddle out at The Farm on the NSW South Coast to protest a proposed development nearby the National Surfing Reserve. The paddle out will coincide with a rally to be held afterwards, organised by the Save Killalea Alliance.
Reflections Holiday Parks, which are managed by the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Managers, operate caravan parks upon crown land in some of Australia’s most scenic coastline and have close to 40 locations across NSW. This from the Reflections Holiday Parks website: “It’s our job to maintain and nurture this land, to preserve it for future generations, and to create unforgettable experiences for our visitors to access and enjoy these exceptional natural assets.”
Killalea State Park, home to iconic Australian beach ‘The Farm’ and a National Surfing Reserve is one such location. But a proposal to extend the already existing Reflections development at Killalea by building a 200 seat function/conference centre, restaurant, and luxury eco-cabins has locals up in arms.
“This fundamentally changes the unique character of ‘The Farm’, which was declared a National Surfing Reserve in 2009 and has been enjoyed and loved by generations of locals and visitors”, said Organiser of the world record attempt and Chair of the KNSR Committee, Chris Homer. Adding, “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”.
Brad Farmer AM, the founder of both the Surfrider Foundation and National Surfing Reserves will be attending the Paddle-out and is calling on Rob Stokes, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister Melissa Pavey, and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to visit the site to meet with locals and reaffirm that the government is not selling off its coastal assets.
“As one of the favourite National Surfing Reserves in NSW the Farm should be protected according to the state gazetted provisions under the Crown Lands Act,” Mr Farmer said. Adding that “coastal users were given an assurance this sacred surfing site would be safe for generations to come.”
The paddle-out will need 512 participants to set the world record.
The Save Killalea Facebook page can be found here
