City planning doesn't happen overnight – it's a long process and one that community plays a key role in.
Right now, a Planning Proposal for significant changes to a precinct in Gwynneville is on public exhibition. We're asking our community consider the documentation associated with this Homes NSW plan to change the current rules (or planning controls) to allow for an increase in density, and to provide their feedback on it.
We know that proposals like this can be complex – that's why we opted for a seven-week exhibition period to give residents plenty of time to consider the documents and the potential benefits and challenges of such a change. It's also the second time we've sought feedback on this proposal following earlier community engagement in July 2024.
"In planning for Wollongong's future, it's important to get the balance right,'' Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said.
"We need to make sure there are housing options to support those who want to live, work and play in Wollongong now, and in the future. We also need to make sure we've got the right mix of options including social and affordable housing.
"That way, the kids who are feeding the ducks at the Wollongong Botanic Garden now, have an opportunity to live and work at the foothills of Mt Keira in the future.
"We have been listening to community comments and concerns about the complex Planning Proposal for the Gwynneville precinct, including at a resident-coordinated meeting held in Gwynneville on Tuesday night.
"In response, the seven-week exhibition period for this Planning Proposal will be extended by an additional week to Monday 5 May 2025. This is to provide people more time to consider the detailed documents associated with the Planning Proposal, has organised two Council-organised community drop-in sessions for interested residents to ask questions. The first will be on Wednesday 9 April.''
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said as Council prepared to make a decision about this Homes NSW Planning Proposal, it was important we heard the opinions of residents.
"A planning proposal is not a quick thing and there is always a lot of work associated with this process and much of this is set out as a statutory requirement by the NSW Government,'' she said.
"The voices of those who live in Gwynneville and Keiraville are important to us as we look at this proposal and consider whether Council would support this change to the area's density.
"It's important to us we hear from everyone – not just those who are already highly engaged in Council. It's also essential that people take the time to provide their feedback directly to Council, to ensure their comments and concerns are considered in this statutory process.''
There are a range of ways people can get involved. Council's website has a dedicated page to the proposal with all the related document and an online form you can fill in and submit. You can look through the documentation at Customer Service in Council's Burelli Street Administration Building and provide a written or emailed submission, or come along to face-to-face information sessions on Wednesday 9 April and Tuesday 29 April at Wollongong Senior Citizens Hall, Gipps Rd, Gwynneville from 4.30-7.30pm.
What's it all about?
The Gwynneville precinct has been identified as an area suitable for future housing renewal. The precinct includes large areas of land owned by Homes NSW for social housing, as well as homes owned by private landowners.
Homes NSW have lodged a Planning Proposal with Wollongong City Council for a change to the planning controls for the precinct bounded by Irvine Street, Madoline Street, the Wollongong Botanic Garden and Murphys Avenue.
What they're asking is for permission for this area to have up to 1,250 homes, including 625 homes that would be social and affordable housing.
The intention is to increase the supply of different types of housing to ensure there's a mix of social, affordable and private homes benefitting seniors, low-income households, students and key workers.
What would need to change?
For this to go-ahead, most of the precinct would need to be rezoned from R2 Low Density Residential to R4 High Density Residential. The existing 9m Building Height Standard would not initially change.
In Spearing Avenue nine lots would be rezoned from R2 Low Density Residential to RE1 Public Recreation increasing the area's open space from 0.83ha to 1.39ha.
The precinct would include 27 key development sites. Once consolidated, these sites could be developed to a height of between 13-22m or 3 to 6 storeys.
Some of the lots in this location are already owned by Homes NSW (75 lots). Where there are lots that are privately owned (56 lots), property owners would have a few options. If they are located within a site with existing Homes NSW properties they can negotiate to sell to Homes NSW. Alternatively, they have the option to sell their lot, negotiate the purchase of adjoining lots or to partner with other owners in to redevelop, or continue to live in their house.
Why is this happening now?
The process around this Planning Proposal has been underway since mid-2024.
Last July, Council sought initial community feedback on the Homes NSW proposal from highly-engaged community members in the Gwynneville area.
Council's feedback on the proposal along with community feedback was shared with Homes NSW. A revised proposal was then considered by Council in November.
Council resolved to support the preparation of a Planning Proposal that would go to the NSW Government for them to issue a Gateway determination – essentially permission for it go to on public exhibition.
This determination was issued on 12 January 2025 by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
After completing some further reports required by the NSW Government, Homes NSW then submitted the Planning Proposal for public exhibition.
The exhibition opened 10 March and runs until Monday 5 May 2025.
