05/06/2026
The powers that be have stuck to their guns. The much-loved and environmentally sensitive Wowly Wetland is approved to be rezoned for residential subdivision.
Carve it up. Fill it in. Sell it off.
That's the only masterplan for Callala - a place so precious not only to us who live here as guardians, but also for the thousands who visit seeking increasingly rare peace, healthy nature and clean water.
History repeats, and yet again, unified community, science and conservation voices opposing the proposal were overruled by the Planning Panel of five industry reps, with only Councillor Peter Wilkins dissenting, saying the dangers outweighed the benefits. Ward 2 Councillor, Lou Casmiri, 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 299 community submissions, 98% objected. Liza Butler MP objected. Scientists who recognise 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 fell in line with the current State political mission to approve land release for housing - but at what cost? What about bioretention basins? Sediment controls? The 16,000 tonnes of fill that will require at least 537 truckloads driving through Callala? All deferred to the development application stage.
That means the hard decisions will happen later, and we may not even have an opportunity to comment then. Council planners twice previously rejected this rezoning proposal and were twice supported unanimously by Councillors. Not so with the current Mayor and majority who actually voted to forbid Council's planners from submitting their concerns to the State Government Planning Panel. So much power, in so few hands.
One slim ray of sunshine is that this rezoning incorporates the handover of a portion of the wetland to Jervis Bay National Park. Astonishingly, the landowners are not expected to repair the willful damage they did to the site over many years. And forgive us for being skeptical, but we've all heard that National Parks line before when Callala's Glider Forest was rezoned in 2022 for Sealark. That land has STILL not been "gifted" to Nat Parks. Instead, those developers are currently earning millions from it in biodiversity credits!
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.
Thanks again to everyone who tried so hard to advocate for sound planning and a thriving environment. Read the full decision HERE https://callalamatters.org/wowly-wetland-1 And if you care about smart sustainable planning for Callala's future, please do join CM's efforts in protecting nature and nurturing community.
