Bangalee residents have vowed to fight a proposal by Huntingdale Developments Pty Ltd and Southbank Land Pty Ltd for a 400-lot development for Warrah Road, Bangalee.

Now Tapitallee residents, facing a similar development, albeit a much smaller 64-lot off Bangalee and Illaroo roads have questioned how the area, which already lacks infrastructure, can cope with such a proposal.

Similar to their nearby Bangalee neighbours, Tapitallee residents have formed a fighting party to try and combat the proposal.

A resident meeting on Saturday met with ward one councillor Nina Cheyne and Kiama MP Gareth Ward to discuss their options.

Submissions about the proposal, lodged Niki Willdig on behalf of the owners Riverside Lodge and Dillion Enterprises for the $1.92 million subdivision on the 62.09 hectare parcel of land, close with Shoalhaven City Council on Wednesday.

The proposal is for 3000 square metre blocks, the minimum size allowed under the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan for the area, which equates to around three quarters of an acre.

The area is zoned (R2) residential, which changed under the 2014 LEP,  meaning the proposal is permissible for the location but residents question how the area could cope with its lack of infrastructure.

“The area’s roads can’t cope what is here now,” said resident Sue Taylor.

“Other infrastructure won’t cope.

“We don’t have sewerage system up here, residents are either on enviro cycle, pump out septic tanks or seep away.

“How is the area going to cope with another 64 blocks?

“Residents are not against development or this proposal as long as it is does properly.

“We have big block sizes up here and we want that to remain.  We don’t want smaller sized blocks that don't keep with the amenity of the area.”

Two residents, Dale Bryce, who has a 10-acre block and Tania Johnston 25-acres (10 hectares) will both be faced with numerous neighbours. Under the proposal, another resident on a five acre block would have seven new neighbours.

Residents question how wastewater products and effluent water would be disposed of.

They say the proposal has smaller block sizes with large homes, meaning there would be less area for the wastewater to be disposed of.

That was an issue long-time residents and former Shoalhaven City councillors Garry and Lynn Kearney both questioned.

“When we bought here it was zoned for five acre subdivision,” Mr Kearney said.

“We knew at some stage the area would be developed. But we always thought it would be five or at least one acre blocks. Not these smaller three quarter of an acre blocks being proposed.

“There is not the infrastructure to cope with this development. The proposed 64 blocks would add an additional 120 plus cars already onto an overused Illaroo Road.

“All other subdivisions in the area have one access road. Here access looks to be via Kaloona Drive and Yanderra Road which aren't designed for this. There is really only enough room for one car access as it.”

Bangalee Road, which does not connect with Illaroo Road also appears to provide access, which residents say will create a dangerous intersection.

Mr Kearney said he believes this subdivision would also send more traffic into and through the Cambewarra village.

“I can see more cars using that to avoid the delays on Illaroo Road and the Princes Highway,” he said.

“Many try and do that already. I can see it becoming a real rat run.

“This area already suffers with water problems when it rains. The water just doesn't get away. It all flows down through the properties and ends up in the West Cambewarra Cemetery. This will be an even bigger problem with all these extra homes.”

Concerns over the lack of public transport in the area was also raised as well as the possible “catastrophic” outcome due to lack of escape routes if a bushfire occurred in the area.

The meeting heard about delays of 45 minutes in December to travel from the North Nowra shops to get out onto the Princess Highway.

Cr Cheyne said councillors had not yet been formally briefed on the proposal.

“We have heard the same problems with other subdivision proposals in the North Nowra area,” she said.

“There is simply not the infrastructure to cope with such a development. And again the proposed size of the blocks is an issue.”