Jamberoo’s Golden Valley subdivision is just months away from finally getting underway after developer Fountaindale Group has resolved its long-running saga with Sydney Water.

Fountaindale director Jennifer Macquarie said the tender process for the construction of the roads and services for the 50 lots proposed for Stage 1 of the residential development will begin as early as March after Sydney Water confirmed the homes can be connected to the existing sewer main.

The proposed development to the south-east of the town centre has been in the pipeline since 2017 but it has been delayed by bureaucratic red tape.

Fountaindale earlier this year offered to fully fund, design and construct a new main for the picturesque town.

Macquarie wrote to NSW Water and Housing Minister Rose Jackson in August, urging her to intervene and authorise the project to move ahead.

And now she has been advised that because the town main operates at 30% capacity and only experiences overflow issues due to rainwater during severe weather events, the development can proceed.

“Although the Jamberoo sewer main issue did delay the project for many months, we were not sitting still,” she said.

“We used this time to complete necessary items in preparation for commencement of construction including:

• Finalisation of the design of electrical, sewer and water services within the subdivision
• Sign-off on road and drainage designs by Kiama Council and issuing of a construction certificate.
• Installation of new boundary fencing with Hyam Place neighbours
• Developing relationships with local architects and builders who wish to offer home design and construction services to Golden Valley land purchasers.

“Over the next few weeks we will be reviewing our construction program in detail and will be in a position to share a new timeline before the end of the year.”

Macquarie said she appreciated the patience of the many people interested in buying land in Golden Valley, the civil contractors waiting to tender on the construction works, and the designers “who are eager to start work on beautiful homes to suit this unmatched location”.

The lot sizes will be 800 square metres and Macquarie said there were more than 800 potential buyers who had lodged interest.

After the Stage 1 release, which is now set to be at the end of next year, Fountaindale is proposing another 70 lots for Stage 2.

Macquarie said many people in the Illawarra were keen to move into the area, including a high proportion of couples who are downsizing later in life.

That will have a flow-on effect for the housing market with ageing families selling larger homes that younger homebuyers can move into.

“Given the housing supply crisis, the delivery of 50 new homes will be part of that solution,” Macquarie said.

While there has been some opposition to the development from Jamberoo locals, Macquarie said she had been thrilled by the number of residents who were in favour of the Golden Valley subdivision providing a major economic boost for the town’s shops, cafes, clubs and pub.

A spokesperson said Sydney Water was working closely with Fountaindale to progress the subdivision.

“Our latest assessment confirms that the first stage of the development can be serviced by the existing wastewater network.

“We are continuing detailed investigations and modelling to ensure it performs reliably for current and future customers.”

Sydney Water is investigating opportunities to optimise the existing system in Jamberoo to enable new connections in a cost-effective way.

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