A proposal to use the car park of Jamberoo Action Park for storing electric vehicles has encountered challenges. The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD sought to utilize the park's car park during the off-season to accommodate new cars arriving through Port Kembla, New South Wales' primary vehicle import hub. Grant Wright, the park's marketing manager, described the initiative as a strategy to maximize the use of the park's assets.

In recent months, thousands of vehicles were temporarily stored at the site while the park was closed to visitors. However, this activity raised concerns among local residents, who reported their worries to Kiama Council. Neighbors expressed safety concerns regarding increased heavy vehicle traffic and claimed that the storage operation violated the approved conditions for the car park's use. The park's operator stated that the vehicles were in a "pre-delivery" mode.

The car park's proximity to Port Kembla, which is less than an hour's drive away, is significant, especially as electric vehicle sales have surged, making up over 12 percent of new car sales in the first half of 2025. The national electric vehicle fleet has expanded to more than 410,000 vehicles, with approximately 77 percent of this year's purchases coming from China.

Earlier this year, Kiama Council inspected the site and issued a compliance order. Following this, Jamberoo Action Park submitted a development application on August 22 to officially use the land for parking vehicles unrelated to park visitors. Ed Paterson, the council's director of planning, environment, and communities, noted, "Initially, we thought, cars being parked in a car park, seemed quite reasonable, but when we looked into it, we had some concerns."

On Monday, Kiama Council rejected the application, citing rural zoning regulations and traffic safety issues. Paterson emphasized the importance of seeking approval before initiating such operations, stating, "The adage is it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than approval, but we really encourage people to come and speak to us before they start doing things because it is easier and cheaper."

Wright expressed confidence in the park's ability to manage the situation, stating, "Dozens and dozens of school buses turn around safely here all summer months. While these trucks might sound big, they are no larger than the usual vehicles that frequent these roads." He also mentioned that the park previously operated year-round.

The proposal has sparked discussions on local social media, with some residents voicing concerns about road safety, while others criticized the complaints. Wright noted that the car park had previously been used by the University of Wollongong for electric vehicle testing during off-peak times.

With the council's decision, the vehicles must be removed from the site. Wright stated that the park would collaborate with the council to ensure compliance. "Despite this setback, we will continue to explore ways to make the most of our infrastructure while prioritizing safety and guest experience," he added. Jamberoo Action Park is set to resume full operations this weekend.