Southern Highlands development: $82m in infrastructure works delays housing boom

More than 55,000 people are forecast to live in the Southern Highlands by 2040 but one MP says any major development will only be delayed by the council’s $82m sewage upgrade backlog.

By 2040, the Southern Highlands population is expected to swell to 55,000. Photo Wesley Lonergan

More than 55,000 people could call the Southern Highlands home by 2040 but one local representative says any major development will be hampered by an $82 million backlog in sewage upgrade works.

Wollondilly state Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith described Wingecarribee Council’s backlog of maintenance and upgrades to sewage across the region as “amateur hour”, telling The Bowral News the delay in works was obstructing plans for the Southern Highlands to grow.

“The Southern Highlands could be the perfect hub for the decentralisation of Greater Sydney, but developers looking to grow the community can’t even get DA assessments completed,” he said.

“People are being smashed with massive fees and new homes could be put on septic systems because of a lack of upgrades.

“How can this region grow with a backlog of maintenance on basic services — we want to create shovel-ready projects, but council is hampering this.”

Wollondilly state Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith.

Renwick Estate, near Bowral. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

Wingecarribee Council’s 2040 vision document, approved in 2020, sets out plans for a major shift in the regions desired housing stocks.

A council planner forecast the expansion of new residential areas south of Bowral and Moss Vale, as well as “infill development” in towns including Bundanoon and Robertson.

It is expected that detached home developments will be replaced by townhouse projects, medium density apartment blocks and small-lot housing developments in Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale.

The council has also supported plans for increases in seniors housing and aged care facilities surrounding local transport hubs.

The 2040 vision plans for more than 4000 new residents and 3300 homes by 2036, but a council spokeswoman told The Bowral News upgrades to the Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong sewage treatment plants wouldn’t be complete until 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 respectively.

“The upgrade of Bowral, Moss Vale and Mittagong Sewage Treatment Plants will ensure there is sufficient capacity to cater for growth within those areas,” she said.

Bowral will see significant increases in medium density housing. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

The picturesque town of Bowral in the Southern Highlands. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

“These projects are identified as required and consider increased population demands, asset condition monitoring and operational feedback.”

The spokeswoman argued future housing developments — identified in the local housing strategy — will be “sequenced” and dependant on infrastructure upgrades.

“This is to ensure that our infrastructure networks continue to meet the needs of our existing and growing communities.

A masterplanned community of 1200 new homes at Moss Vale, known as Coomungie and Chelsea Gardens is one of several long-term plans to boost housing in the region.

DA approval for the major project is expected to be decided on this year, which would allow stage one construction to start.

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Artist impressions of Chelsea Gardens.