A REQUEST will be made to put the beginning of a new development off Jamberoo Road on hold, pending further investigation of an additional access point which councillors and residents believe could help ease traffic concerns.
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Kiama councillors recently expressed concerns that a car accident in the new development would have dire consequences for residents.
At the June meeting, Kiama councillors voted 4-3 to approve the 100-lot subdivision of the site (generally referred to as Cedar Grove Stage Two), between the Cedar Ridge Estate and Cedar Grove Estate.
Jamberoo-based councillor Mark Honey was absent for the vote, and fellow councillor Dennis Seage declared an interest.
Councillor Neil Reilly said he was lodging a rescission motion this week, which had the support of three other councillors.
According to developers White Constructions, 90 per cent of the lots have already sold.
Cedar Grove residents claim it would create traffic issues throughout narrow streets and councillors raised concerns about the single access point.
At the June meeting, deputy mayor Warren Steel moved the matter be deferred to allow consideration of a second (in this case, western) access point.
The deferral was defeated.
"If ever there's an accident, and it's not if ever, one day there will be ... all the people who bought in there now won't be able to get out."
Cr Reilly agreed, saying "with a development of this size, with one exit and one entry, I can only see disaster".
Earlier this year, Cedar Grove residents' group, Lilly Pilly Action Committee (LiPAC), proposed to place the access to the western side of Cedar Grove, on vacant land.
Cr Reilly said the western access point needed to be more fully explored.
"I believe the report we received gave little evidence for us to make a decision regarding a western access point," he said.
"While a legal decision was given to council, there were a number of councillors absent.
"A development of this size requires a maximum number of councillors.
"It's not the merits of the development, it's the access."
Cr Reilly believed his motion would be discussed at the July meeting.
LiPAC member Lee Cordner previously told the Kiama Independent the group wasn't giving up, and members were reviewing their position.
Mr Cordner said they weren't anti the development per se, but it shouldn't be at the cost of their safety.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said modifications to the original road design had included reducing the gradient of the access road near Lilly Pilly Way, and "there are many places around town where you have single access".
