A proposed new housing development west of Kiama could provide 1000 new homes for the LGA as part of a planning proposal submitted to Kiama Council by national property and construction group Traders In Purple.

The proposal covers a 114-hectare site on the western edge of Kiama at 177 Long Brush Road in Jerrara, 33 Greyleigh Drive and 103 Jamberoo Drive, which are currently vacant without any development. 

Dubbed ‘Springside Hill,’ Traders In Purple has guaranteed that it will set aside at least 25 per cent of the homes built for buyers typically locked out of the housing market, including locals, first home buyers, key workers, and renters. Traders In Purple says it will offer a diverse range of housing types to cater to people from all walks of life.

Traders In Purple will also preserve 40 per cent of the site as open space under its proposal.

There’s also 9700sqm of land that Traders In Purple has earmarked for local employment opportunities like shops, a supermarket and medical facilities, which could translate into 150 full-time jobs.

The proposal is yet to be submitted to Kiama Council, but if it is successful, would rezone the land so developers can begin construction. It could still be years before new houses start being built.

While planning proposals aren’t usually made public at this early stage, Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud said given the scale and scope of the proposal, Council will post further information on its website to keep the community fully informed, including a copy of the Planning Proposal, supporting documents and explanations of the assessment process.

If Councillors vote in favour of the proposal, further assessments will be conducted and Council will begin consultation with the community.

“While Planning Proposals can take up to 12 months, it’s important the correct procedure is followed, and community consultation will be a critical part of this,” said Stroud.

“Proposed developments such as this will generate a lot of interest, and we will provide our community with regular updates as we move through the process.”

Traders In Purple Director George Geagea said the proposal will go a long way in helping to alleviate Kiama’s critical undersupply of housing over the next 20 years.

“There is an overwhelming feeling that locals and young adults will have to leave the area because housing is too expensive,” said Geagea. 

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get this right and keep locals local. Local businesses can’t find workers because there is nowhere affordable for them to live and the next generation of Kiama families is being forced out to pursue careers and establish their own households outside of the area.” 

Traders In Purple has been responsible for the construction of large-scale housing developments across NSW and the Illawarra, including the Correa Gardens community housing development in Corrimal, and the Northsea building overlooking Wollongong Beach. In 2022, Traders In Purple became close to purchasing the Akuna St carpark from Kiama Council, but the tender was ultimately awarded to Level 33.

Traders In Purple does have a foot in Kiama already though, having restored the Greyleigh homestead in Jamberoo and transforming it into a luxury retreat.

You can read the full plans and provide direct feedback to Traders In Purple from the project website here.