Developers who purchased 76 hectares of former farmland at 144 Calderwood Road in February last year, sold by Ray White Gerringong, now have a plan before council asking for around 25 hectares be rezoned to allow a medium and low density housing development.

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But according to recommendations listed in council business papers, Shellharbour has more than enough housing supply for the next 20 years and "can meet future dwelling demands through existing supply in both greenfield and infill development in residential areas".

The proposal is only in its initial stages, but will be voted on at Tuesday's council meeting with the recommendations not to support the plan due to contradicting the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Plan 2041 (ISRP 2041); it doesn't comply with a Council or Department of Planning, Industry & Environment endorsed strategy; and hit would "result in the loss of agricultural land that has the potential to make a contribution to local and regional food and fibre supply".

If the plan was allowed to go through to the next stage, it would help facilitate a development of up to 400 R2 and R3 residential lots between 300 and 600 square metres, accessible via Calderwood and Cattle Roads.

The site has historically been used for agricultural activities, primarily dairy farming and cropping.

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The business papers state the owner of the land has argued the need for more housing lots as projected figures in the Local Housing Strategy "overestimated the number of zoned available lots for development in 2016", while also arguing other developments in the area "have consistently delivered a significantly greater number of dwellings than anticipated".

With rural zoning still surrounding the development concerns over creating "an island effect of separation" were also raised in the business papers, as were concerns over lack of infrastructure and protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.

If council resolves not to support the rezoning application, the developers may choose to seek a Rezoning Review from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

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