A $6 million subdivision for Gobbagombalin has not completely addressed concerns that Wagga’s supply of land will not be able to keep up with demand.
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A 204 lot subdivision, at 198 Old Narrandera Road, was submitted to Wagga City Council last week and is proposed to be carried out over eight stages.
However, local builder and developer Matt Jenkins is not convinced that this subdivision will resolve the issue as approval by council is often delayed.
“It’s a move in the right direction but this land has been on the radar for quite a while and I’m not sure when council will approve it,” Mr Jenkins said.
“By the time 204 lots go through council that could be six months and then we’re likely not to see the land for another 12 months and then waiting more months for roads and paths to be developed.
“It could be over two years before we can actually begin building on the land.”
Mr Jenkins expressed concern that land could run out in under a year.
“It won’t fix the problem for another two years and in 12 months time people will be struggling for work because we’ll have no land left and nothing available for at least another year,” he said.
“I’ve purchased land opposite the golf course and I’ve waited a couple of years for it to be sub-divided but council have told me they won’t rezone it until the middle of next year.”
Council’s annual report identified the time taken to approve subdivisions as a “critical” issue.
Mayor Greg Conkey acknowledged that improvements to how the city handles subdivisions would be one way to increase the availability of land.
“It’s an issue, I agree with that and it’s well known that we are running out of residential land and it needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Cr Conkey said.
“We’ve recently employed another three planners: one junior planner and two senior planners, which has happened in the last month or so.
“That will make it much easier to address a whole range of planning issues.”
Wagga-based independent property valuer Chris Egan said while development applications to council have been delayed, this application should not be taken negatively.
“Builders should never complain about land being released and while we all know there is a delayed reaction, at least down the track there will be options for people to build,” he said.
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