141 Darkes Road, Kembla Grange NSW 2526

With the impending increase in the number of residences in this area the condition of the local roads is a real concern. Surrounding roads have soft edges and are narrow for the amount of traffic they carry already.
The new entry to the Darkes Road bridge has addressed the issue of stopping traffic to the West but the condition of the road between the bridges and to Integral Energy Park at 88 Darkes Road is appalling as is the road from the Railway crossing to the newly constructed road.
West Dapto Road is in need of work, the intersection where these units are planned has a black spot caused by the roadside grasses which grow tall and block the view to the North from Darkes Road. When travelling on West Dapto Road in a Northerly direction any vehicles turning right into Darkes Road cause a block to the traffic following as there is not a passing lane for the intersection. If these 124 appartment buildings are holding a further 197 cars this intersection requires addressing before the development commences. Increasing the number of vehicles using this road with the development of Brookes Reach, Alkira, Wongawilli, Lynden View Estates and the Future addition of Kembla Grange, Greenview and Sanctuary Ponds Estates will add stress to already inadequate roads in the area.
The car holding yards accessed via West Dapto Road have caused extra large hazardous traffic to a ill equipped road creating extra dangers to the area. Truck movements seem to be 24 hours a day with the roads being damaged and the road markings becoming less visible. Access from Reddalls Road by Trucks to West Dapto Road East bound require many trucks to pull out across the double lines into oncoming traffic to navigate the corner, this is a stop sign posted corner with poor visibility to the West apparently. The road surface from the Princes Highway to the bend at Dapto Creek is in poor condition, with a disused rail crossing adding to the already rough road surface and causing many vehicles to slow rapidly unnecessarily.
Please consider the safety of current and future residents before approving any future developments including land developments in the area.

I have two concerns with respect to this application. Firstly that the current infrastructure cannot support such a large development and the vast increase in residents it will no doubt include. In particular Darkes Road. I refer to the comment already submitted by Brett Kirton and echo his concerns. Without merely re writing his comment Darkes Road cannot possibly meet the needs of the development, future residents and current residents of surrounding estates.
Secondly I object to this application as it does not meet the current aesthetics of the surrounding area. The surrounding area is farmland and residential housing. Six four storey apartment buildings would look gaudy and out of touch with the local architectural feel of the area. A multi storey apartment complex is something more suited to a metropolitan develpment, not Kembla Grange.
Developers have been quoted in the Illawarra Mercury as saying the development is, “Not inconsistent with the intended future character of the locality," and, "The development of the subject site will be consistent in appearance, style and modern architectural features." I submit that this is incorrect and with no plans or timeframe for a Kembla Grange town centre proposed that the developers have no way of knowing the future character of the locality and that their quotes are mere assumptions. This development could potentially be left looking like a monstrosity and a blight on the landscape for years.
I would lastly like to leave my opinion after reviewing the DA. This application is nothing more than an attempt by greedy developers to cram as many residents onto one piece of land as possible to maximise profits.
I respectfully submit that this application be refused in it's entirety.