Jamberoo’s future as a vibrant and family-friendly village is set to take centre stage at Kiama Council’s December 10 meeting.  

Councillor Mike Cains will put forward a critical motion to support the Jamberoo Community Preschool. The motion calls for council to assure the preschool won’t be displaced until a viable new location is secured, a shovel-ready project plan for its relocation is developed and the current lease is extended if necessary.

The preschool serves 67 local families and has become a cornerstone of Jamberoo’s close-knit community. But its current location is flood-prone and unsuitable for long-term use, making the need for a solution increasingly urgent. The preschool debate intertsects with the Golden Valley Way Stage 2 proposal, which has garnered significant community interest.

Numerous submissions (page 13) were received in support of the development, with a key factor being the developer’s pledge to donate land for a new preschool if the project is approved. Residents at a public meeting expressed overwhelming support for the project, not just for the potential preschool site but also for the promise of a second entry/exit to Jamberoo Road - a critical safety improvement. The additional housing proposed in the development would also enable more families to join the Jamberoo community and boost local businesses.

However, council’s housing strategy categorises the site as a long-term development, a position that has sparked frustration among locals advocating for a faster resolution. They argue the preschool’s future is too vital to be tied to a long-term timeline.

Cr Cains’ motion aims to provide the preschool with certainty and to begin planning for its future immediately. 

“The Jamberoo Community Preschool is a vital service for 67 local families,” said Cr Cains. “It provides quality early education in a natural setting, and ensuring its continued operation sends a reassuring message to our community.”

The motion also calls for council to create a “shovel-ready” project plan to ensure the new facility is well-positioned for grant funding opportunities. The Chief Executive Officer’s response acknowledges the preschool’s importance but points out the complexities of managing council’s many leased properties. While supportive of the preschool’s needs, the response highlights that no site has yet been allocated or a specific solution proposed.

Some residents fear delays if the Golden Valley Way development remains in the long-term category of the housing strategy. “We need action, not bureaucracy,” said one local parent. “The preschool is an essential service, and this development could solve two problems at once: safety on Jamberoo Road and a secure future for our children’s education.” With the council set to debate both Cr Cains’ motion and the broader housing strategy, the stakes for Jamberoo’s future are high. For families relying on the preschool and residents advocating for safer infrastructure, the decisions made at this meeting will shape the village for years to come.

The Golden Valley Way Stage 2 proposal offers opportunities, but whether Council can align long-term strategies with the pressing needs of the community remains to be seen.