The Bulge newspaper spoke to Neville Fredericks, who served for seven years as Mayor of Kiama from 1974-77 and from 1987-91. He was also the Director of The Housing Trust from 2007-12. He is widely credited for bringing Council back from the brink of insolvency and contributing to staving off amalgamation with Shoalhaven Council back in the day.

Mr Fredericks has 14 years of experience as a Councillor and received the prestigious Emeritus Mayor Award in 2002. He has made significant contributions to local government, and his impact reaches beyond local politics. 

These days Mr Fredericks is a property developer focusing on sustainable futures for towns. He is committed to understanding how the layout of our community impacts the health of its residents.

Two townships in the Kiama Municipality could be described as “walkable, mixed-use, relatively dense, diverse, sustainable towns,” Mr Fredericks has told us. “This model of traditional urbanism has a very low carbon footprint per capita.”

This can reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions by four tons a year, compared to living in an automobile-dependent suburb. The environmental advantages go well beyond greenhouse gases to address other pollutants, noise, water, land use, and more.

He points out that Gerringong has a population of 4,100, and if including Werri Beach and Gerroa the 2001 Census says 5,000 people. 

“This is an optimum-sized community for a wide range of local commercial services,” he says. 

However, from a sustainability perspective, its disadvantage is that Werri Beach and Gerroa are far enough away from the centre of Gerringong that many residents of those areas are car dependent for every need. 

“Gerringong is close to the model size but lacks adequate housing diversity - especially near the town centre,” Mr Fredericks says.

Census 2021 shows that 78.8 per cent of Gerringong’s dwellings are freestanding homes. This is high compared to the NSW percentage of free-standing dwellings, which is 65.6 per cent.

“Not everyone wants, needs, or can afford a large freestanding home. Half the homes in NSW now have only 1 or 2 occupants, and Gerringong, like almost every regional town in NSW, has a shortfall of smaller homes to meet the needs of its changing population. 

“Enabling a mix of villas, townhouses and terraces to be built over time would begin to address this problem. Ideally, they would be located within walking distance of the town centre.”

Fredericks also cites Jamberoo, with a 2021 population of 1910, “This is well below the critical population of 3,000 people needed for the support of a range of viable local retail and other services.”

“The existing IGA manages to remain viable due to the skill of the operator,” citing Mike Cullen- Urban Economist. Over recent decades Jamberoo has lost its fuel station, bank, and general store/rural supplies. It does not have a pharmacy or many other retail and commercial services.”

Census 2021 shows that the percentage of free-standing dwellings was 95.5 per cent. Again, Fredericks points out that “The town has a critical undersupply of smaller, more diverse housing options.”

“This causes young people who grew up in the area to be unable to find smaller and more affordable homes. The same for service workers, singles, and renters,” he explains.

In summary, Jamberoo needs another 1,000 people - around 450 dwellings - mostly smaller and more affordable for the town to be sustainable.