Car fire on Captain Cook Drive near Marang Parklands on Monday April 20, 2026. Picture supplied

Captain Cook Drive has been closed three times in April, yet the road won't be widened until 2036-39 under plans for 4300 new homes on the Kurnell peninsula.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

or signup to continue reading

Kurnell residents say the road needs to be widened to four lanes (two in each direction) before the project begins.

The first 920 homes are scheduled to be built between 2027-29.

The latest road closure occurred about 5.30pm on Monday April 20, when a car caught fire opposite Marang Parklands.

Traffic delayed by a car fire on Captain Cook Drive near Marang Parklands on Monday April 20, 2026. Picture supplied

Three days earlier a power pole fell across the road near Dicker Data, and on April 2 a truck rolled over at the roundabout adjoining Cronulla High School.

Kurnell residents are extremely concerned about the increased risk of not being able to evacuate in an emergency.

Several major new industrial projects, including on the Caltex site, are also proposed for the area.

Truck rollover at the roundabout adjoining Cronulla High School. Picture supplied

"Captain Cook Drive needs to be a dual carriageway both ways before any development occurs," said one resident.

A revised Planning Proposal for the new suburb named Bidhiinja Beach - after the Dharawal name for oyster - is on display for public comment until Monday May 11.

Land owner, The Holt Estate, proposes to develop the former sand mining area in stages over 20 years, with the new homes in buildings of 4-12 storeys.

Submissions on the Planning Proposal close on May 11.

A public information session was held at Kurnell on Saturday, and a second is to be on Wednesday April 29 from 5pm to 7pm, at Southern Districts Rugby Club, Sylvania Waters.

Significant changes have been made to the original masterplan, which was unveiled in December 2023.

They include that housing is no longer proposed for the flood-prone horse stables area next to Quibray Bay.

The stables in March 2022. Picture by Chris Lane

This area will continue to be zoned for private recreation purposes, with additional permitted uses of schools and places of public worship.

The Holt Estate said the change followed "community consultation and engagement with state agencies".

Concerns were expressed to the Leader in 2024 that flooding incidents over the previous three years, along with the low-lying nature of the land, demonstrated the site was unsuitable for large buildings and possible underground car parks.

Duncan McComb, chief executive of Holt Estate 1861, a trading name of Besmaw, responded at the time, "We plan to raise the lower lying areas where the stables and riding arenas are recently located, in accordance with our expert technical advice. This removes the potential for flooding."

The development stages in the revised Planning Proposal are:

2026 - 2027: Early infrastructure.

2027 - 2036: Approximately 2200 homes, retail facilities and open space, new surf life saving club, public car park, two hotels, traffic signals at Elouera Road and Captain Cook Drive intersection, works to improve drainage and stormwater flow.

2036 - 2045: Approximately 2100 homes, tourism cabins, two more hotels, widening of Captain Cook Drive, an additional public car park, additional open space and retail in the Bate Bay Precinct.

Further information: holtestate.com.au/future-plans