Traders in Purple have released a statement in response to Kiama Councils decision last night not to support Springside Hill development.

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The decision by Kiama Council to not support the planning proposal for Springside Hill will disappoint locals and key workers pinning their hopes for an affordable home on an immediate solution to the housing crisis.

Despite the setback, Traders In Purple remains determined to work alongside council, community and the NSW Government to progress plans for Springside Hill.

The Springside Hill proposal seeks rezoning of land west of Kiama township for around 1,000 homes, 25 per cent of which would be reserved for locals, key workers and affordable housing.

Had Kiama Council supported the proposal proceeding to Gateway at last night’s Council meeting, the first homes could have been delivered by 2027, providing immediate relief to address the housing shortage that has seen Kiama house prices soar beyond the reach of locals and essential workers.

Traders In Purple CEO Brett Robinson said it was not the end of the road for Springside Hill and the many locals who had expressed support for the proposal should remain optimistic.

“We are naturally disappointed but we realise that Springside Hill is by far the largest proposal that the Council has been called upon to consider,” said Mr Robinson.

“Together with our expert consultants, we have had the benefit of several years investigating solutions to the Kiama area’s current and future housing needs whereas Council has spent only a few weeks considering the merits of the Springside Hill proposal.

“Clearly a situation where the average house costs 15 times the median income and private rental consumes more than a third of wages is not sustainable. It is already forcing locals, particularly those wanting to buy a home and raise a family, to leave town, leaving Kiama without essential workers and the next generation of families.”

Mr Robinson said it was concerning that the report prepared by Council staff, which formed the basis for Council’s decision, contained factual errors, including:

• Timeframe: The report wrongly states the timeframe for delivery of housing is 10 to 15 years, when in fact the project could commence immediately.

• Contributions: Contrary to the report’s claim that no contributions plan has been provided, Traders In Purple has submitted an offer to fund the necessary infrastructure to support development of the site at no cost to Council.

• Utility infrastructure: The proposed standalone sewerage system is not, as the report claims, an undesirable outcome. It is a proven sustainable solution to managing wastewater and our delivery partner is authorised to provide water services across NSW, servicing around 25,000 dwellings.

• Government agencies: The views of key government agencies are misrepresented as unsupportive of the proposal whereas their responses indicate a request for further information. Mr Robinson said the housing crisis was not confined to the young and impacted older workers in the private rental market.

“If you are renting a home in Kiama and contemplating retirement on a pension there is little prospect of being able to age with dignity,” said Mr Robinson.

“It is a myth that every Baby Boomer is sitting on property wealth. Many of the most valuable people in the Kiama community, who have spent a lifetime working in essential but poorly paid jobs, face a grim future in which they can never afford to retire. They desperately need the affordable, secure housing that Springside Hill will provide.

“Traders In Purple, together with Housing Trust, looks forward to working with Council to ensure Springside Hill forms part of its Growth and Housing Strategy.”