A controversial development application that will extend the western boundary of Jamberoo township has been given the green light by Kiama Municipal Council.
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Councillors voted 7-2 to approve the Wyalla Road Residential Release area, after seeking external legal advice.
The 7.8-hectare Wyalla Road property near the Allowrie Street roundabout will be subdivided by Peter Taranto’s Huntingdale Developments to include 30 Torrens title housing lots, restricted to those aged 55 and older, and 26 detached residential housing lots.
A neighbouring property owned by businesswoman Colleen Camarda has another 11 lots.
Concerns had been raised that the standard residential component would be developed prior to the seniors component which was at the heart of the approval.
Speaking in favour of the project, Cr Mark Way said the council had been assured by Mr Taranto that he was committed to the seniors living section.
Cr Way said he was satisfied with the explanation that land set aside for the standard residential development was inappropriate for seniors living because of the slope and distance from the township.
‘‘There is a clear need for a seniors development in Jamberoo,’’ Cr Way said.
Cr Warren Steel said he believed the development ‘‘would save the town’’.
‘‘I know there are a lot of people living in Jamberoo now that will want to take up residence there,’’ Cr Steel said.
Cr Andrew Sloan spoke against the project saying he believed the development was outside the established village boundaries of Jamberoo, as defined in the Illawarra Regional Environmental Plan (REP) No 2.
‘‘There is a black line that says the council is not to consider anything residential beyond this line ... this development shouldn’t have got this far,’’ Cr Sloan said.
However the council’s own legal advice, which the council agreed to release publicly, said the REP developed in the 1980s no longer applied.
Jamberoo-based councillor Mark Honey said the issue had divided the Jamberoo community and created conflict between the community groups Jamberoo Watch and the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association.
‘‘I hope after this they can get over their differences,’’ Cr Honey said.
