Kiama Visitor Strategy- Have your say and save Bombo

Kiama Shire Council is currently seeking feedback on its visitor economy strategy (ie tourism opportunities). This is a great opportunity for climbers to remind the council of the benefits climbing could bring if areas of Bombo quarry are set aside to enable climbing. 
https://yoursay.kiama.nsw.gov.au/visitor-economy-strategy

As you may remember, last September, we spearheaded a proposal that the repurposing of Bombo quarries should preserve climbing opportunities on the basalt columns. You can read about the great climbing opportunity this presents here. This is a long-term proposal as the quarry is still working, but preservation of cliff faces for climbing needs to be planned for so that the columnar architecture and recreational assets are not destroyed forever. 

The consultants for the Bombo repurposing, Urbis, are still drawing up a masterplan.  They estimate this will be finalised by late 2025. Kiama Shire Council wrote back to us, obviously concerned about the liability of supporting such a proposal, but seem to have no trouble building skate parks or promoting netball or football, all of which have higher injury rates than climbing does. We have prepared a document for them and local politicians highlighting the many council and national park managed quarries that exist around Australia where climbing is supported and provides a huge benefit to the local community and visitors. 

Submissions for the visitor economy strategy close on July 13. You can do a survey or promote the idea of climbing on the ideas board, and bump up support for existing ideas that mention climbing by giving a thumbs up to comments. If you have the time, do both. 

 

The project has the following aims. We believe climbing fits in well with these and encourage Kiama Shire Council to embrace this existing, unique and relatively cheap tourism draw card on their doorstep.

 

1. Ensure the long-term sustainability of a thriving tourism and events industry by supporting year-round visitation and building industry resilience.
2. Align local focus areas with broader visitor economy initiatives to better position Kiama for grant opportunities and strategic partnerships.
3. Prioritise future-ready infrastructure and planning, advocate for improved accessibility, and leverage assets like Shellharbour Marina and Western Sydney Airport to stimulate economic growth.
4. Embed vibrancy and innovation from state-level reforms to strengthen Kiama’s tourism, night-time economy, and emerging agritourism opportunities.
5. Incorporate findings from the 2024 Kiama Major Events Impact Review to strengthen the events sector and maximise benefits for the community and local economy.
6. Deliver strategic, measurable actions that position Kiama as a thriving and distinctive destination, embracing tourism growth while ensuring we don’t lose our community feel.