Southern Moruya Growth Area Urban Design Analysis

Ethos Urban worked with Eurobodalla Shire Council to prepare an Urban Design Study for Southern Moruya to assist with the delivery of enabling infrastructure which could allow land that has laid dormant to start being developed for housing.

Eurobodalla Shire Council has been successful in receiving 11.53 million in funding from the NSW Government under the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund. This funding provides stimulus funding to eligible councils, state agencies and state-owned utility authorities to accelerate construction projects that will support new homes in areas experiencing growth in NSW. 

Eurobodalla Shire Council engaged Ethos Urban to prepare an Urban Design Report for the Southern Moruya Growth Area informed by stakeholder engagement alongside Council, state agencies and landowners. Ethos Urban has provided planning, urban design, and engagement services to formulate a study for understanding and managing growth and development for 80ha of land located in a highly strategic location in proximity to the Moruya Township and the soon to be constructed Eurobodalla Regional Hospital. 

The project has included a close collaboration with JMT Consulting to take a ‘Movement and Place’ approach which assisted in establishing a vision and principles for Southern Moruya. The key role of the study is to support final detailed engineering of the enabling infrastructure such as associated stormwater and drainage infrastructure and nominated lead in roads to facilitate development applications on land already zoned for housing. 

To inform the infrastructure required, the report considers an analysis of ‘place’ to develop contextual responses that better meet the needs of future residents before arriving at a structure plan which establishes a framework for positive development outcomes such as a network of green spaces, preservation of the environment, active transport links, interpretation of local character and an approach to density which takes advantage of the unique attributes of Moruya.

The clear guidance being provided by this document together with the funding support for new infrastructure will assist in overcoming some of the existing barriers to development and work towards achieving Councils desired outcome in terms of housing choice and diversity and a well-connected resilient community. This work is intended to guide decision making around new subdivisions including timing and staging, key access and perimeter road requirements, and opportunities for increased densities. 

Key features of the Urban Design Analysis include: 

• Informing decision making around new subdivisions that are proponent led.
• Improved road design and connectivity back to the Moruya township grid.
• Investigation of alternative modes of transport that may be possible along key desire lines.
• Testing of areas suitable as infill or for low-midrise housing.
• Protecting and enhancing open space and biodiversity linkages.