Change edging nearer

RESIDENTS of Edgewood Estate in Woonona are planning to pack up and leave following the approval of a Development Application for a 156-bed retirement village for the suburb.

Edgewood resident Kimberly Humphries said more than one family are looking into moving to another area following the approval of the development.

“There are a number of people who are going to sell up and then others are also very worried that that they wont be able to sell because construction will have already started and who wants to live across from a construction site?” she said.

The Wollongong and Northern Leader reported in June that some residents were worried the development in Edgewood Estate would ruin their quiet family suburb.

The residents were worried that the facility didn’t provide adequate parking, and would bring major traffic problems to the area.

Wollongong City Council has said the development does have adequate parking, and a review by Council’s traffic section left them satisfied that the roads in the area are good enough to manage the traffic generated by the proposal.

The development will consists of 96 low-care beds, 40 high-care beds, and 20 dementia beds.

It will also include a ‘civic hub’ comprised of a café, kiosk, hairdresser, and gift shop, along with dining rooms, lounges and libraries.

Ms Humphries, who lives directly across from the approved development site, said the facility will make Edgewood a dangerous and busy place.

“There’s going to be pretty much a never ending disruption,” she said.

“This particular estate is predominantly families and it’s going to be very dangerous for people to walk around the streets of Edgewood.”

Ms Humphries said she felt that Council did not take the social issues surrounding the development into account.

“I door-knocked a couple of months ago and all the residents were very concerned about the situation but didn’t think they could do anything about it,” she said.

“It’s hugely disappointing that the residents’ concern was not taken into consideration.

“Most of the councillors haven’t even seen the size of the streets and where it is located.”