Garry Cochran lives in Hyams Place Jamberoo, and his back fence borders the proposed Golden Valley Road housing project for Jamberoo. He is one of six original objectors and has spoken publicly at the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers & Residents Association Inc (JVRRA) about his issues. 

Garry is concerned about increased population, increased road usage, increased demand on facilities, schools, open areas and changes in the country atmosphere.

He says, “This DA will affect all valley residents now and forever. Once it happens, there is no going back!”

He said that “if the application for rezoning this land had included the current uncomplying DA and not the simplistic proposed development that was put in as well and showed the complicated water, waste, access and traffic problems that have arisen, I believe rezoning would not have taken place, and neither developer and Council and residents would not be going through this costly time-wasting exercise.

Golden Valley Master Plan version three.

“Here we have a developer whose only concern is maximum yield and profit, not what is best for residents and future residents.”

Garry asks, “Why do people want to come to Jamberoo to live and visit?” and answers, “For what it is now: Peaceful, happy, friendly and attractive housing and beautiful green countryside.”

He sees the alternative as “A. Tullimbah style - high-density front doors straight onto streets? B. Albion Park style - large white boxes on the hillside in a rat-run of tiny winding streets. C. Shellcove style - double-storey duplexes where you can reach from one roof gutter to the other.”

Garry feels, "If something is going to happen in Jamberoo in the future, it must be Jamberoo friendly.”

Of course, it’s only fair to ask the developer for their thoughts and give them the right to reply.

Jennifer Macquarie, Director of Fountaindale Group, the developers proposing the housing project, has said, “While it’s understandable that some people prefer things not to change around them, the reality is that change is constant. When I was growing up in Jamberoo in the 1970s the population was around 600. Since then, the village has grown progressively to its current population of around 2000 people.”

Her family was responsible for the development of Hyams Place, and she remembers that being every bit as controversial as Golden Valley, with the same arguments being raised against it.

Jennifer points out, “It happens for any new development in Jamberoo, but over time those new places and the people who move there settle in to become part of the fabric of the village. They provide new students for the primary school, become customers of local businesses, join sports clubs, and become volunteers for local organisations.”

She acknowledges that the Council and the Department of Planning have the challenging job of meeting the housing needs of the community and, at the same time, managing the expectations of existing residents. Jennifer further comments, “When you think about how quickly growth has occurred in surrounding areas of Albion Park and Kiama, development in Jamberoo has been fairly limited. The rezoning process for the Golden Valley land established a minimum lot size of 800m2 to complement the existing township.

“Our subdivision has been designed in compliance with this and will result in a very different streetscape to the more densely planned communities of Tullimbar and Shell Cove where lot sizes are permitted down to 250m2.”

The Golden Valley DA was recommended for approval by Kiama Councils planning staff after a two-year assessment process and having met all of their requirements.

Jennifer adds, “We have had a lot of interest in these blocks from existing Jamberoo residents, as well as people from elsewhere who are keen to enjoy the rural lifestyle that Jamberoo has to offer.

(Supplied) A typical house type for Golden Valley Road development on 800m blocks

“We are looking forward to a positive outcome from the Land and Environment Court appeal process so that we can move ahead with the project,” she says.

Sadly, Jamberoo has lost its beloved Postie Café which closed on 19 August. In her Facebook post the operator is citing ‘current economic conditions, food costs and staffing issues’ for the closure.

One might imagine that there would be more turnover locally if the township population increased. An additional 130 or so people will move into Jamberoo due to Golden Valley Road and other small developments in the village. This would positively affect the Postie Café and other local businesses in Jamberoo.

With a boost in population, essential services such as post offices, pharmacies, fuel stations, banks, general stores, rural supplies, and other retail and commercial offerings could be restored to the area.