Almost 150 residents of Allenby Parade and Sturdee, Beattie and Tyrwhitt avenues have signed a petition objecting to the use of the Sturdee Ave bridge as a temporary southern access point for the Stockland development.

Original traffic plans for the site included creating a north-south link road through the estate, joining the northern Wrexham Rd exit with a southern exit and entry on Point St.

However, the road was to run through land owned by Anglican Retirement Villages (ARV), which has since abandoned its plans to develop the property and put it on the market.

Wollongong City Council confirmed the Sturdee Ave bridge was being touted as a possible temporary second entry and exit to the site until the ARV land was developed.

Councillor Greg Petty will present the petition of objection at tonight's council meeting, with residents saying they fear their quiet streets will become highways under the proposal.

"We're concerned what impact the increased traffic flow from the proposed 400 residential blocks will have on our own safety and ability to access our properties," Sturdee Ave home owner David Frith said.

Don Pescud, who lives opposite the bridge, said Stockland had told him it would be used only for pedestrian and emergency services access.

"We want a guarantee from the council and Stockland that they won't allow traffic over that bridge," Mr Pescud said.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery acknowledged residents' concerns, but said the development would need a southern access to ease congestion on Wrexham Rd.

While it was "not ideal", he said the Sturdee Ave bridge might have to do, temporarily.

"We're still looking into our options at the moment," Mr Bradbery said. "The ultimate aim ... is to still connect McCauley's through to Point St and make that the southern access point."

A Stockland spokesperson said NSW Planning approvals for the development did not require the link road to be completed beyond the boundaries of the estate.

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