JAMBEROO residents have appealed for more development in the village, saying there is not enough growth to support its clubs and businesses.
At a Jamberoo Ratepayers Association meeting on Wednesday night, residents told a Kiama Council representative Jamberoo needed more attention.
Association secretary-treasurer Vic East said the Kiama and Gerringong town centres both had development control plans, regulating development in those areas.
"But Jamberoo didn't have one - everything's slowing down here and the businesses aren't doing well because the population's not building," he said.
He said, with the slowdown obvious for the past year, the village needed an extra population injection and many Jamberoo residents supported a retirement village providing it was smaller than the 190-unit Crighton's development.
"There is one proposed for Wyalla Rd, which is alright but it's not enough - we need 100 residences or something of that size, including a nursing home," he said.
"Then services would come into town."
Jamberoo newsagent Andrew Waugh agreed, saying retailers had noticed business was tougher and said some quality growth was needed in the town.
"I don't want to see it grow like Albion Park or Shellharbour by any means, but it would be good to have growth within the town to sustain existing businesses and justify further businesses starting up," he said.
He was concerned the town's demographics were changing, with numbers dropping at Jamberoo Public School.
"On observation, in the last 10 years, the 25-35 age group has dropped - Tate Place and the smaller cul-de-sacs have been filled and there's no affordable infill or extensions of the valley available," he said.
"There has been changeovers in properties sold and bought, but it's not increasing the status quo."
He said he believed Jamberoo’s small population had magnified the effects of the Global Financial Crisis.
“When you’ve got a population of 1000, you don’t need to have a big change in population to make a difference,” he said.
The tough economic conditions have affected the Jamberoo Bowling Club and the Jamberoo Golf Club, which are now considering a country club merger.
After two previous failed attempts, the clubs’ presidents Alan Pirie and Lance Fredericks said the boards of both clubs had formed another investigation committee to protect the long term independence and viability of the two clubs.
“The boards understand that all clubs continue to face an uncertain future in light of reducing memberships and the impact of the economy on clubs’ revenues,” Mr Fredericks said.
“Jamberoo is too small to support two clubs.”
Currently, the golf club rents offices at the bowling club and golf club members visit the bowling club for drinks because it is the only licensed venue of the two.
“If anything did happen to the bowling club, we’d be left looking for an office and somewhere to congregate,” he said.
Mr Pirie said gaming was a major source of income for the club and the revenue had dropped significantly in the past three years.
“We are hopeful a successful merger will result in a better and stronger club, benefiting members of both clubs.”
The Kiama Independent understands the golf club has had to decrease its annual membership costs significantly to attract members.
Meanwhile the bowling club has debts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, however its board expects the sale of a flat in front of the club will clear it with some profit left over.
A recommendation on the possible merger is expected by early June and the clubs’ members will have the final say.
Currently, almost four hectares of land on Drualla Road is the only site earmarked for residential development within the next five years, expected to provide for 40 dwellings.
Kiama Council strategic planning manager Kim Bray said the council was reviewing the association’s request for a DCP on the Jamberoo town centre, but was unlikely to complete one for the Department of Planning as part of this year’s DCP review due to time constraints.
She said land identified for future residential housing development would be reviewed.
Email a friend