From Tullimbar and Calderwood to Kembla Grange, the former agricultural land to the west of Lake Illawarra is dramatically shifting the population centre of the region.
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In the coming decades, these suburbs - mostly former agricultural land nestled into the southern part of the Illawarra escarpment - are predicted to be home to about 50,000 new residents.
Both Wollongong and Shellharbour councils have had to invest in infrastructure to support their new residents.
For instance, Wollongong's largest-ever single spend on a piece of infrastructure - the $93 million Fowlers Road Bridge, to be known as Karrara Brdige - will form the link between the Dapto town centre and the newer suburbs to the west.
The long-awaited bridge is due to be finished in the first quarter of this year.
Elsewhere, developers are progressing with subdivisions which will unlock hundreds of new homes.
Dahua Group Australia has started civil and subdivision works on its $350 million 1881 Tullimbar masterplanned development.
1881 Tullimbar spans across 90 hectares and will comprise 500 new homes with a range of housing types.
Civil contractor Western Earthmoving was awarded a contract for civil infrastructure and subdivision works for the first 149 land lots.
Dahua purchased the 90-hectare land parcel from Miltonbrook in 2017.
In 2018, Tullimbar Village residents expressed concerns upon discovering their "promised town centre" had been scrapped by the new developers.
Dahua Group successfully lodged a development application with Shellharbour City Council that did not include plans for a vibrant retail and commercial centre in the estate.
According to Dahua, the first residents are expected to move in early 2022.
Completion of the estate is expected in 2023.
The developers say 120 lots have sold to date.
"We are very pleased to start construction work on our third major masterplanned community in NSW," Kith Clark, development director for Dahua Group said. "It has taken us two years to reach this significant milestone.
"The project is within close proximity to major employment hubs, important transport links including the Princes Highway and extensive community facilities."
A variety of land lot sizes from 450sqm to 850sqm are available, with prices from $220,000 to $518,000.
Meanwhile, developers Lendlease have announced the anticipated settlement of its Primrose stage release at Calderwood Valley.
Lendlease's 609-hectare Calderwood Valley development is located at the foothills of the Illawarra escarpment.
To celebrate, Calderwood Valley hosted more than 200 buyers on-site at a family-friendly event and site tour on Saturday.
Buyers had the opportunity to view their lots for the first time, and also have their queries answered by Lendlease and Shellharbour City Council.
Lendlease have confirmed that once settlement takes place at the Primrose release, which is scheduled for March/April, purchasers can potentially move in by Christmas depending on their individual building requirements and plans.
Upon the project's estimated completion in 2036, Calderwood Valley will be home to an estimated 12,500 residents.
Arthur Ilias, development director residential at Lendlease welcomed buyers to the Primrose stage release.
"The Primrose release is part of Calderwood Valley's close-knit and thriving community," he said.
"We're thrilled to see such high demand from buyers."
Also, there's plenty of activity happening at Sanctuary Views Estate, Kembla Grange, located off West Dapto Road.
It will eventually feature approximately 200 homes, with lots varying in size.
The first stage will contain about 50 lots.
Sanctuary Views sales executive Gina Stone said the first stage is well under construction.
"The civil works is just nearly completed; all the roads, drainage and servicing has just been completed for the subdivision of the first stage," she said.
"That'll probably be registered around April/May, and then people will be able to start building."
Buyers can purchase a block of land or a home and land package at Sanctuary Views until March 31, and receive a $10,000 rebate off the land.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
