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NSW's Joint Regional Planning Panel has approved a $25 million expansion at Jamberoo Action Park, despite objections from residents and Kiama Municipal Council.

The Panel gave approval for the amusement park's development the controversial theme park subject to a number of additional development conditions, including stipulation on the colour of the new rides. Panel Chairman Allen Grimwood said the application had been approved because it would bring "significant benefits to the region ... through increased visitation."

However, the five-member panel's unanimous decision has failed to impress either the developer or the objectors.

Jamberoo Action Park Managing Director Jim Eddy said he was disappointed the panel had not agreed to several changes to the proposed conditions and suggested that the park will now seek legal advice about its best course of action.

Eddy explained "we will now consider it, we'll seek legal advice and see what our options are and then pursue those options that best fit our future objectives."

Eddy added that many residents' concerns about traffic at the park were "nonsense", stating "the only problem we've ever had with traffic is we haven't had sufficient car parking to accommodate the cars that come to the park."

The $30 million expansion, to be known as Kangaroo Island, includes seven new water-based rides, a 1,700-space car park and alterations to the park entry.
Kiama Deputy Mayor Ben van der Wijngaart said the council would never have approved the proposal, stating "we didn't believe that the impact of the traffic management issues had been addressed adequately and whilst there were some amendments which we were pleased with ... I do not believe that the traffic issue has been addressed."

Kiama Municipal Council held a last-minute meeting last Tuesday and decided to oppose the development.

The park will need to get a construction certificate before development begins.

Eddy had hoped to start work on the expansion at the start of 2010. However, Kiama Municipal Council expressed ongoing concerns over traffic issues, water management and zoning of the land. In 2009, Eddy lodged a 'deemed refusal appeal' as the Council had not completed its project assessment within the required time.

9th February 2011 - JAMBEROO TAKES THE LEAD IN ABOLISHING WAITING QUEUES

24th September 2010 - JAMBEROO ACTION PARK OPENS BUT EXPANSION IS IN LIMBO

9th December 2009 - EDDY LEAVES AS WOLLONGONG TOURISM REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

8th June 2009 - JAMBEROO TO SUBMIT KANGAROO ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PLANS

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