Sue Eggins what a legend she is. Its time council deliver on their promises.
In 2011 Sue Eggins stood outside the police residence building every Friday and Saturday with petitions and banners, gathering nearly 700 signatures and even prompting a Minister to visit. Still, nothing happened.
In the past fortnight the future of Kiama’s former police residence has become a flashpoint. People feel anxious, frustrated and unsure who to believe. When clear information is missing, social media fills the gap, and confusion takes over from clarity.
This post brings together the facts that should have been available from the beginning. No speculation, no drama, just the context the community deserves.
What the police residence actually is
Built in 1863, the former police residence on Terralong Street is part of Kiama’s civic heritage precinct. It served as the town’s police station and lock-up until 1884, then became accommodation for officers. It has been empty since 2001 and has deteriorated significantly through decades of inaction.
Two Aboriginal land claims apply to parts of the broader site: one lodged in 2005 and one in 2022. The Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council claim has now been agreed.
What Aboriginal land claims actually mean
This is an area of genuine confusion, so here is the simplest explanation.
Aboriginal land claims are made under the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983. They apply only to certain types of Crown land, usually where the land is unused, underused or not needed for public purposes.
An Aboriginal land claim cannot:
- seize private homes
- affect people’s yards, farms or businesses
- interfere with existing freehold titles
Claims are a mechanism to return some Crown land to Aboriginal communities as recognition of historical dispossession. They are lawful, long-standing and routine across NSW.
When a claim is successful, the Local Aboriginal Land Council becomes the landowner. But that does not automatically mean they have the funds to restore a heritage building. Local Aboriginal Land Councils prioritise community welfare, housing, health and cultural programs. Restoring a 160-year-old public building requires additional government partnership, planning and resources.
Understanding this distinction helps separate fear from fact.
How we arrived at this moment
Concern about the police residence isn’t new. For years the Historical Society and many locals have raised the alarm about its deterioration. In 2011 Sue Eggins stood outside the building every Friday and Saturday with petitions and banners, gathering nearly 700 signatures and even prompting a Minister to visit. Still, nothing happened.
A heritage building without a plan becomes a symbol, and people react to that uncertainty. The tension we see now is the predictable outcome of two decades without decisions.
What heritage specialists want people to know
The police residence is listed in Kiama’s Local Environmental Plan. This acknowledges its local significance but does not unlock State heritage funding or specialist support. Attempts to elevate the listing to State level have not succeeded, and that remains a barrier to meaningful restoration.
The building also sits within a civic precinct that has no coordinated heritage strategy. Only the post office holds State heritage status. The courthouse, police station and police residence do not, despite their shared history. Without a precinct approach, each building is left to fend for itself.
Why the conversation feels so charged
People care deeply about this building because it sits at the heart of Kiama’s story. Wanting it protected and interpreted properly is reasonable.
The Aboriginal land claim adds another layer. While returning land recognises history, it does not automatically resolve the cost or responsibility of caring for a heritage structure. Without clear government leadership, the building’s future sits in limbo.
This is not a single-issue problem. It is the result of:
- long-term neglect
- unclear responsibility
- confusing public communication
- heritage processes that stall without funding
- and genuine community attachment
What clarity would look like
Right now people are trying to assemble fragments from social media. The facts are simple and should be spoken plainly:
- The building is historically significant
- It is in poor condition because of long-term neglect
- A valid Aboriginal land claim applies, and that does not threaten private homes
- State heritage listing has not been granted
- No restoration plan currently exists
- The community cares, and rightly so
Clear information lowers anxiety. Silence does the opposite.
A better way forward
- A coordinated heritage precinct strategy.
- Clear public explanations of how different heritage listings work.
- Transparency about the building’s structural condition.
- Collaboration with Aboriginal people on interpretation and future use.
- Government support that reflects the real cost of restoration
- Regular communication rather than long gaps
The community wants certainty, respect and clarity. Meeting those expectations begins with telling the truth simply and consistently.
If we want a calmer, more informed conversation about the police residence, this is the foundation we need.
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