Bungendore’s growth has been on hold until the water issue is resolved. File photo.
The population of Bungendore would triple by 2048 under the highest growth scenario in the regional council’s new draft plan for the village but development is dependent on an increased water supply.
This is now a step closer after the NSW Government advised Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council of a further groundwater access entitlement, boosting hopes of new housing in and around the village where a lack of water has stalled its growth.
Council has formally applied for the water access licence and will await final approval from the NSW Government.
The draft Bungendore Structure Plan, which went on public exhibition on Tuesday (9 July), says Bungendore’s current water supply entitlement only provides for infill or steady growth.
It says that if greenfield developments were to proceed under the current regime, Bungendore would potentially exceed its licence entitlements in a dry year by 2020 and by 2026 the water treatment plants would potentially reach capacity.
But a more secure water supply would be a gamechanger for the village, already popular with commuters to Canberra and sure to attract interest from those in the capital seeking a quieter lifestyle and cheaper house and land packages.
Bungendore’s population is 4178 and the Structure Plan considers three different growth scenarios and their implications: Steady growth rate – 5000 residents by 2048, medium growth rate – 7000 residents by 2048, and high growth rate – 12,000 residents by 2048.
However, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor, Tim Overall said that just because a water supply has been located did not mean a free-for-all for development in Bungendore.
“Proposed developments will still be subjected to the same rigour and community engagement as they would be anywhere else in our local government area and the Bungendore Structure Plan will play a big part in this,” he said.
The Structure Plan stresses that the growth scenarios were ways to consider ‘opportunities and challenges’ if Bungendore was developed.
“If Bungendore was to grow there would need to be support from the community and government agencies as well as an increase in Council’s water allocation granted by the NSW Government,” it says.
The draft Structure Plan also considers road bypasses around Bungendore, a new council depot, medium density dwellings, group home and an industrial zone outside of the Bungendore urban area.
It does not consider sites for a proposed high school for the village because the NSW Government’s investigations are ongoing.
The Bungendore Structure Plan will be open for comment until 21 August. Go to yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au
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