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NORTH Nowra traffic issues would have to be solved before any future development in the area would be allowed according to Shoalhaven City Council’s strategic planning manager Gordon Clark.
The matter of access and services to North Nowra has been raised as council considers a proposed 400-lot housing estate in the area.
Huntingdale Developments Pty Ltd and Southbank Land Pty Ltd have proposed a 400-lot development for Warrah Road, Bangalee, with the proponent seeking to have the land, bordered by Warrah Road and Lochaven Drive Bangalee to the north, Gypsy Point Road to the west, Coconut Drive to the east and almost as far as Crams Road, North Nowra to the south, rezoned from rural to residential to allow the proposal to go ahead.
Mr Clark said it would be hard for council to release new zones of land in the North Nowra area until the greater issues of access were resolved.
“That includes the new bridge crossing of the Shoalhaven River or North Nowra Link Road or replacement of the North Nowra access solution,” he said.
“While the structure plan identified Crams Road and other areas for possible release, they are longer term release areas. We have to get traffic issue sorted first.
“With this proposal we have to work out how much of the site can be developed before we get to the point of how and when services would be provided to the area or the question of things like vehicle access.”
The structure plan identified this area for development as one of the latest stage releases.
It could be 15 years before it is considered to be developable.
“This is a zoning proposal and not a subdivision proposal, however it may lead to a subdivision application in the future,” Mr Clark said.
“There are lots of issues the community is concerned about and they are valid issues but we are not at that level of detail yet.”
Residents formed a fighting party in December to try and stop a proposal.
Group spokesperson Dennis Johnson said the area was not equipped to cope with such a large expansion.
“The infrastructure is simply not there to cater for the influx of homes, people and extra motor vehicles on an already stressed road system,” he said.
It is understood over the recent holiday period, traffic on Illaroo Road was banked back past the North Nowra Shopping Centre as motorists tried to gain access to the highway.
“Trying to get out of Illaroo Road at the best of times is a nightmare,” Mr Johnson said.
“How is Illaroo Road going to cope with an estimated extra 1000 to 1100 vehicles, which will increase movements to between 2000 and 2200 each day?
“That’s without even talking about schools in the area which are already full, we have a hospital and health system which is struggling to cope. It’s hard to get into a local doctor. Our police are stretched and undermanned. How will the area cope?
“And above all else where will the jobs for all these extra people come from?”
The group also has concerns about the proposed sizes of the blocks in the development of 500 square metres compared to the other land holdings in the area of 2500 square metres.
He vowed the group would continue to fight against the proposal.