Wollongong City Council is seeking community input on two key documents that will guide future development within the Gwynneville precinct, including public open spaces, active and public transport connectivity, sustainable design and flood management.
Council resolved at its 29 June meeting to place a draft Development Control Plan (DCP) Chapter and a draft Planning Agreement with Homes NSW for the Gwynneville precinct, on exhibition for a minimum two-month period.
At the same meeting, Council also endorsed a revised Homes NSW Planning Proposal to increase housing supply in the area, including provisions that would see social and affordable housing make up 60 per cent of a potential 1200 new homes.
Background on the Gwynneville Planning Proposal
Homes NSW, which owns more than half the lots within the precinct, is seeking a rezoning from low density residential to medium density residential to allow renewal and expansion of its existing social and affordable housing stock, the bulk of which was constructed in the 1950s.
Key amendments in response to community concerns raised through a seven-week exhibition period included rezoning the area to R3 Medium Density Residential, to better reflect the proposed 3–6 storey developments than the initially proposed R4 High Density Residential, and provisions stipulating affordable housing make up 10 per cent of private developments. Sites developed by Homes NSW would still provide a minimum of 50 per cent social and affordable housing, as initially proposed.
Following Council’s endorsement, the Planning Proposal will be forwarded to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for approval and finalisation before the Wollongong Local Environment Plan (LEP) is amended to implement the changes.
While the Planning Proposal addresses zoning of the precinct, and the required provisions of social and affordable housing, many of the issues raised during the exhibition related to details of potential future development and the need for supporting infrastructure, which are guided by Council’s DCP.
The draft Chapter D22 endorsed for exhibition proposes controls to guide general layout and residential amenity, enhancement of public open spaces, active and public transport links and connections, environmental protection measures, and improved flood management.
Council also endorsed a draft Planning Agreement with Homes NSW, the proponent of the Planning Proposal, outlining the infrastructure it will fund to support population growth in the area as a result of increased housing density.
Some of the proposed contributions will go toward demolition of buildings and acquisition of land to expand public open space, delivery of new shared paths and safe crossing points, bus stop upgrades, watercourse and landscaping improvements.
These funding contributions will be in addition to developer contributions collected from private developments under Council’s City-Wide Development Contributions Plan.
Community voices essential
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said the draft documents form part of a coordinated planning approach to the entire precinct.
“A shortage of social and affordable housing is something our community is feeling the impacts of and it’s absolutely essential that we consider all options available to address this issue,” Cr Brown said.
“We have the third highest supply of social housing in the state, but a lot of that housing stock was built many, many years ago and waiting lists in our LGA still stretch beyond 10 years. The Planning Proposal offers the opportunity to renew the precinct with more modern social housing and affordable housing, as well as increased market housing.
“We’ve endorsed the Planning Proposal that considers the zoning and what’s permissible in the precinct. We now need to consider what the ensuing development will look like, including the supporting infrastructure required to support increased housing density and population growth.
“We understand the high level of interest in these plans and we’re committed to engaging with the community through every step of this process to make sure development occurs in a carefully planned and well considered way.
“That’s what this draft DCP chapter and planning agreement outlines, and we want to encourage the community to continue that conversation with us through the exhibition process.”
Provide feedback on the Planning Proposal
The exhibition process will include face-to-face opportunities for the public to access information and ask questions to ensure the community has sufficient time and information to make a submission. Following exhibition, issues raised in submissions will be reviewed and a post-exhibition report will be prepared for Council’s consideration.
The community will be advised when the exhibition period gets underway. Residents can stay across community engagement opportunities for this Proposal through our dedicated webpage .
