A private developer has offered to solve Dapto's transport woes, by providing flood-free access in and out of the suburb and relieving the chronic traffic congestion.
Development company Connectland Pty Ltd has offered to upgrade Bong Bong Rd and plans to put in extra crossings, to alleviate the daily traffic congestion which frequently backs up on either side of the railway crossing near Dapto station.
In exchange, the developer hopes to build a $700 million "employment and teaching centre".
On a sprawling 50ha site, the planned centre would combine classroom learning, on-the-job training and accommodation.
Under the plan Bong Bong Rd would be elevated above one-in-100-year flood levels and a new bridge would be built across Mullet Creek.
The railway crossing on Bong Bong Rd would be removed and a new bridge built over the railway line.
Connectland is hoping to negotiate an agreement with government authorities which would include these measures.
The Department of Planning is considering the proposal.
If successful, the plan may go some way to solving two of the outstanding issues in West Dapto: traffic congestion and flood access.
Residents have been agitating for the Fowlers Rd bridge since the 1984 floods, when waters rose 2m in places - 50cm more than 100-year levels - cutting off residents in the twin communities of Horsley and Dapto.
The need for flood access has become more pronounced in recent years as the NSW Government pushes ahead with plans to settle 16,000 families in West Dapto.
A recent report by the NSW Growth Centres Commission rejected the need for the bridge, finding instead that "timely, affordable and adequate flood-free access" could be achieved using a package of roadworks.
Connectland is confident it can overcome the flooding issues.
Cardno Forbes Rigby director David Laing, who is working on behalf of Connectland, said the flood risks could be handled on site.
"Our early indications are positive," he said.
"We will know more when the flood modelling is complete."
When built, the development is expected to create 592 full- and part-time jobs and 3000 employment and teaching packages, responding to the region's high unemployment.
Connectland director Rosa Caporale said the development would help give Dapto an identity.
"It will be one of the biggest environment schools in the region," she said.
It was hoped the centre would provide vocational training opportunities along with classroom learning for people across the Illawarra.
Information days on the proposal will be held on January 15, between 4pm-8pm and on January 24, between 9am-1pm at the Ribbonwood Centre in Dapto.
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