Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park (left), Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown and Planning Minister Paul Scully at West Dapto Road. Photo: Planning Minister’s Office.
The next stage of vital upgrades at West Dapto Road will progress with a $3.2 million funding boost from the State Government to ensure one of the region’s most rapidly growing areas has the infrastructure to complement the housing demand.
It could soon be home to more than 60,000 residents, but without key connections to the town centre and safe access to services, living around West Dapto could come with many challenges.
West Dapto Road is one of the suburb’s key stretches unlocking the potential for more housing, and now work will be able to continue to ensure the area is equipped for the increase.
“By investing in critical road infrastructure, we are supporting the growth of West Dapto and creating more opportunities for people to live and work in the Illawarra,” Planning Minister Paul Scully said.
“These are important initiatives where councils and the State Government are working together to deliver the infrastructure that’s needed alongside homes, rather than waiting for years and years and years after the homes arrive for the infrastructure to be built.”
The $3.2 million contribution to the $28 million upgrade to complete works along West Dapto Road from Yard Street to Darkes Road aims to accelerate the delivery of 932 new residential lots in the council’s West Dapto Urban Release Area.
This coincides with other upgrades around the area, including roadwork on Fowlers Road between Fairwater Drive and Cleveland Road, the Tripoli Way extension, initial explorations of southbound on- and off-ramps to the M1, and other active and pedestrian infrastructure.
However, planning for the next spike in residents has placed some burden on those currently living in Dapto and surrounds, including long-term closures of main thoroughfares such as West Dapto Road, and increasing travel time and disturbances.
“It’s a challenging project, it’s a big project, and it’s not without its inconvenience for residents,” Mr Scully said.
“In the long term, that short-term pain will deliver a better long-term outcome in terms of safety, in terms of accessibility and in terms of general road improvement.”
The funding was delivered through the Low Cost Loans Initiative, whereby up to 50 per cent of interest costs on eligible loans are covered by the government to allow essential infrastructure to be delivered sooner and at a lower cost.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said: “This funding is about making it easier for councils to deliver the essential services and infrastructure that growing communities like Wollongong and West Dapto need.
“With more families in the Illawarra looking for affordable homes to rent and buy, the Low Cost Loans Initiative is supporting more housing choice in areas where it’s needed.”
Wollongong was one of six councils to receive a grant in the latest round, which saw more than $12 million invested across the state.
“This important initiative and important funding under the Low Cost Loans Initiative not only makes a safer journey for residents all throughout West Dapto, but it also helps to unlock an initial 1500 homes in the area,” Mr Scully said.
For more information on the infrastructure projects and plans for the West Dapto area, visit the Wollongong City Council website.
