About 20 residents have safety, parking and traffic concerns if townhouses are built on at least 17 blocks and 16 other blocks become dual occupancies.

Rachel Mackie bought her block of land in 2016 at Bella Vista Estate instead of at Calderwood because there were about 80 large blocks proposed.

She was looking forward to moving into her new home and raising her family surrounded by the bush.

Now Ms Mackie and other residents have found out development applications for multi dwellings on the one block have been lodged with Shellharbour City Council.

"My main concerns are about safety because there is only one exit into and out of the estate, overdevelopment and parking," she said.

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"The estate is in a bushfire zone, legally cars are only allowed to be parked on one side of the road, but no one is going to police it.

"If cars park on both sides then there is not enough space for emergency vehicles or the garbage truck to get past.

"The proposed number of townhouses and dual occupancies will bring an extra 160 cars into the estate. We will have to fight to get a parking spot.

"There are also many townhouses proposed in one row and it is going to look horrible."

Ms Mackie is calling on the council to look at the "big picture" when assessing the townhouse developments.

Council's general manager Carey McIntyre said the subdivision met the minimum planning requirements.

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"Town houses and dual occupancies are typically permissible within all residential zones in Shellharbour," he said. 

"After subdivision approval, each separate dwelling development application is assessed on its individual merits and within the [council's planning guidelines].

"The merits of each development application are assessed on matters such as onsite parking requirements, landscaping and solar access requirements."