Wombarra housing subdivision raises traffic and environmental concerns

The site (marked in yellow) of the proposed housing development. Picture: Wollongong City Council

OPPONENTS of a development application (DA) for 16 residential lots in bushland beside Coledale Hospital say it will further choke a congested Lawrence Hargrave Drive, and should be rejected by Wollongong City Council.

Wombarra Vista Pty Ltd has lodged the DA, which is on public exhibition for comment until December 6, with the Council. The proposal includes construction of a new road to connect with Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

The group behind a campaign to stop the subdivision says the development would mean the removal of 40,000 cubic metres of soil and the destruction of natural habitat, while adding to traffic congestion on Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

“The scale and number of homes proposed for the site is inconsistent with the surrounding area and will ruin the character of the neighbourhood and overwhelm such a tiny community,” a group spokesperson said.

“Many native trees will be cut down. We can’t let this happen to our community and set a precedence for other large scale development.”

The DA (DA-2019/1198) can be viewed here:

https://epathway.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/epathway/Production/Web/GeneralEnquiry/EnquiryDetailView.aspx?Id=1169953

The group have initiated a petition, which is available here:

https://www.change.org/p/wollongong-city-council-stop-overdevelopment-protect-our-community

The plan for the subdivision. Picture: Wollongong City Council