The NSW Government will retain ownership of an 8.2-hectare parcel of land on the Lake Illawarra foreshore at Warrawong and develop a plan to transform the foreshore location into a must-visit destination for Illawarra locals and visitors.
Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said the government had listened to community feedback and will not sell the site at King Street and Northcliffe Drive.
"During the election campaign we listened to the community, and we are now making good on our commitment not to sell the site," Mr Kamper said.
"The government, where appropriate, has a responsibility to make sure public land remains in public hands and is used to benefit the community.
"This site is on a prime location on the foreshore, and we want to extend the current public uses to create a world-class space for locals and visitors to enjoy."
Mr Kamper said the government's decision to retain the site had been informed by community feedback.
"We received more than 200 submissions, which shows how important this site is to the local community, and we've heard them loud and clear," Mr Kamper said.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, hailed the decision to retain the site.
"I've made it abundantly clear that this land should be kept in public hands, and I welcome Minister Kamper's swift decision," Mr Scully said.
"We will now work on identifying opportunities for this wonderful public space to make it more of a drawcard for the local community and visitors to the region."
Mr Kamper said work is also underway on more than $1.2 million in further upgrades to public jetties at Lake Illawarra.
"Crown Lands is upgrading Dix's Wharf and Kanahooka Jetties to create safe and contemporary access points on Lake Illawarra to support recreation and improve the areas for years to come," Mr Kamper said.
"This follows upgrades to Old Merinda Wharf, Tuggerah Bay Jetty, Koonawarra Bay Jetty, Purry Burry Jetty and almost $3 million invested by Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) to repair and upgrade King Street Jetty, upgrade the market car park and install security cameras on Northcliffe Drive.
"Minister Scully and I will now work together, along with Wollongong City Council and other stakeholders, to develop a master plan that will establish a vision showing how this wonderful waterfront public space and be taken from good to great."
