Callala Bay Development
As a natural extension to the village of Callala Bay, to the north of Emmett Street, east of Callala Beach Road and west of existing homes, Sealark is delivering a choice of new homes and amenities to complement the existing community.
Throughout planning, Sealark has collaborated closely with Shoalhaven City Council, local stakeholders and the community to ensure the homes and amenities in this new south coast development create a lasting legacy for the area, its people and its environment. The NSW Government has previously deemed the rezoning of this land for residential purposes “a matter of state and regional significance”. This rezoning was completed in 2022. Sealark is in the process of preparing a Development Application for this site.
The sustainable property development will comprise approximately 380 new homes to be delivered on a site of approximately 40 hectares to extend the existing Callala Bay village.
Approximately 7.5 hectares of open space is proposed, including over 5 hectares of bushland reserve, over 2 hectares of wetlands to enhance and maintain high quality water treatment in the area, and a 4,600sqm community park. Additionally, a linear park along the northern edge of Callala Bay is planned. The 2.2-kilometre long park will run from Callala Beach Road in the west to Sealark Road in the east, totaling approximately 9 hectares.
A minimum of 10% of the residences in the Callala Bay development will be affordable housing and we will work with a tier 1 Community Housing Provider through the creation of these homes. Click here for more information on Sealark’s affordable housing approach.
It is expected that sales of the first land release in this new south coast housing development will occur around 2026 and construction will take approximately 10 years to complete. In the meantime, the consultation program continues, and we look forward to keeping the community updated as we progress this important development to achieve the social, economic and environmental outcomes envisioned.
New homes for the future
This area of Callala Bay is identified in the Shoalhaven Growth Management Strategy as being able to support new homes for people, given the region’s housing shortage.
The property development site is zoned residential.
Sealark will balance the need to provide housing choices for people with the associated social and economic benefits, while protecting the character of the natural environment and embedding sustainable development principles throughout construction and operation.
Guided by our Sustainability Strategy, we are committed to designing and developing an environmentally friendly community based on world’s best practice sustainable design principles.
A minimum 10% of the dwellings will be affordable housing to be delivered in conjunction with a tier-1 Community Housing Provider. This equates to approximately 40 new affordable homes to help address the housing crisis in the Shoalhaven region.
Additionally, Sealark is in discussions with planning authorities to investigate ways to reduce the number of new homes to potentially be made available as short-term accommodation, in order to strengthen and build the local community through a more permanent population.
Boosting the local economy
Sealark, owned by registered charity The Halloran Trust, has a long history in the Callala Bay community. In fact, the Halloran name has been associated with the area for over 100 years.
Through the extension of the Callala Bay village, we will contribute to the social, economic and environmental prosperity of the area for many years to come.
Like many areas in the Shoalhaven region, Callala Bay is a popular holiday destination. While tourism is important to the local economy, its seasonal nature creates a challenging environment for local businesses.
Our sustainable property development will provide local jobs, support new and existing local businesses, encourage investment in Callala Bay, provide new housing choices for people, and integrate affordable homes.
During construction, over 350 jobs are expected to be created, with a focus on local trades and engagement of local suppliers. Independent economic modelling shows the development of the new homes will generate over $30 million in household expenditure each year in support of local businesses.
Importantly, with Sealark’s development of new homes and amenities at Callala Bay, it provides the opportunity for The Halloran Trust to provide important funding and resources to the local community and its environment. Click here for more on The Halloran Trust and the organisations it contributes to.
Our environmental strategy
Sealark has developed a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy which guides our approach to all our developments.
In our Callala Bay development, in accordance with our strategy, we will deliver an extension to the village which is based on world-leading sustainable development principles and encompasses sustainable design and construction methods, use of healthy building materials, water management, active transport, biodiversity and waste management, amongst other considerations.
The 40-hectare site has biodiversity value which our plan accounts for. There is a Bauers Midge Orchid on the site which will be protected through the establishment of a 5-hectare bushland reserve around its habitat. The neighbouring Lake Wollumboola Biodiversity Stewardship Site, which is owned by Sealark , contains significant additional areas of these orchids and their known habitat.
We have detailed protocols in place for the removal of any hollow-bearing trees on the site. Some fauna is known to inhabit these trees though, as shown in the Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report this fauna does not rely solely on these trees for survival, given the abundance of these trees in the broader, protected Jervis Bay region. Our plan covers the careful relocation of any fauna encountered by trained ecologists to suitable adjacent habitat.
As detailed in the independent Biodiversity Certification Assessment Report, the loss of biodiversity on the site will be offset through the preserved vegetation in the nearby Lake Wollumboola Biodiversity Stewardship Site.
Owned by Sealark, the Lake Wollumboola Biodiversity Stewardship Site is more than just environment to be preserved. It is a place carefully managed by Sealark to thrive and grow, where old farms are re-grown as new forests and former agricultural land is re-claimed by the natural bush.
Due to Sealark’s expansive land holdings, of which more than 90% is committed to conservation in perpetuity, Sealark has the opportunity to deliver a nature positive outcome to the environment.
Your views welcomed
Sealark is committed to creating new homes and amenities which serve as a natural extension of Callala Bay village. In doing so, we’ll support the future social and economic prosperity of the area through a sustainable property development that aligns with its beautiful natural surrounds. Contact us for more information.