Killcare, New South Wales Facts for Kids

Killcare is a beautiful suburb located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It sits on the Bouddi Peninsula and is part of the Central Coast Council local government area.

Before European settlers arrived, Aboriginal people from the Guringai tribe lived in the Hardys Bay area. You can still find their ancient rock carvings and shell middens (piles of shells from old meals) in many places around here. After British settlement, Killcare became a small community focused on fishing and farming. The name "Killcare" might have come from the idea of "killing one's worries" because it's such a relaxing place!

The Killcare area includes both the sandy beach and the calm bay sides of the Bouddi Peninsula. It is surrounded by the amazing Bouddi National Park. Killcare still feels like a small fishing village, especially around the Killcare Store. The village has a surprising variety of shops, including places for yacht charters, an art gallery, and cafes. The Killcare Marina also offers places for boats to dock.

Community Life in Killcare
- Killcare Beach and Surf Life Saving
Environmental Changes and Development
- Marina Development Plans
- Araluen Drive Development Plans
Notable People in Killcare

Community Life in Killcare

Killcare has a strong and friendly community. There are many local groups and associations. The Pretty Beach Community Pre-School and Pretty Beach Public School are nearby in Pretty Beach.

The neighboring suburb of Hardys Bay is home to the Community Church and the Hardys Bay RSL Club. The RSL Club hosts fun local groups like the Hardys Bay Hackers Golf Club and the Fridget Digits winter swimmers, who brave the cold water!

Killcare is also home to the Killcare Rural Fire Service. This group of volunteers helps protect the local suburbs and the Bouddi National Park. They work hard to prevent fires and keep everyone safe.

Killcare Beach and Surf Life Saving

Killcare Beach is a lovely south-facing beach with views towards the northern beaches of Sydney. It's a great spot for swimming and relaxing.

The Killcare Surf Lifesaving Club is located right on the beach. It was first built in the 1930s and has been updated over the years. The club helps keep swimmers safe by patrolling the beach on weekends and public holidays during the summer. They have memberships for adults who patrol, children who join the "nippers" program, and young people in the "rookies" program. Putty Beach is at the northern end of Killcare Beach.

Environmental Changes and Development

In the 1960s, a lot of mining for a mineral called rutile happened at Putty and Killcare beaches. This mining removed the large sand dunes and harmed many native plants and animals. The miners were supposed to replant the area. However, they used a harmful plant called bitou bush, which is now considered a pest. Local land care groups are working hard to remove it.

Over the last 30 years, the value of properties in Killcare has grown a lot. Many people want holiday homes or retirement homes here because it's a beautiful coastal area close to a big city. This has led to many older, simpler houses being replaced by bigger, more modern homes.

Marina Development Plans

In 2007, there was a plan to make the Killcare marina much bigger. This plan would have added more boat berths, parking over the water, and new shops and cafes. It also included a boat maintenance area.

However, this plan caused a lot of discussion in the community. Many people were worried about the environmental impact, especially on the local mangrove trees and seagrass beds. The community groups, including the Hardys Bay Resident Group, did not support the plan. In 2008, the Department of Planning decided to reject the development proposal.

Araluen Drive Development Plans

In 2008, another large development plan was proposed for Araluen Drive. This plan included a big, seven-story building with shops and apartments. It would have required removing over 100 large trees.

Many local residents were concerned about how this development would change the area. Over 600 people objected to the first plan, and over 700 objected to an updated plan. The local council rejected the development because it didn't fit with the area's character. The developers tried to appeal this decision in court, but the court also rejected the plan in 2009. The court agreed that the proposal was too big and didn't respect the natural environment or the local character.

Notable People in Killcare

Killcare and the surrounding area have been home to several well-known people:

Felicity Ward, a comedian, grew up in nearby Hardys Bay.
Graeme Blundell, an Australian actor and writer, has a house in the suburb.
John Singleton, a famous Australian businessman, is known for his involvement with the Killcare Surfclub and developing properties in the area.
Greig Pickhaver, also known as HG Nelson, is a well-known actor, comedian, and writer who lives in the area. He has helped with many community charity events.
Raymond Miller, an actor known for his work in the Australian movie Barry MacKenzie Holds His Own.

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Killcare, New South Wales Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Killcare, New South Wales facts for kids

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