Warrawong is ready for an additional 1,300 well-located homes following the approval of new planning controls for Warrawong Plaza.
The planning proposal at 43-65 Cowper Street, Warrawong, increases the maximum building height from eight to approximately 22 storeys which paves the way for the master planned mixed-use development to provide up to 1,300 new homes, with 15 per cent set aside as affordable housing for at least 15 years.
This project is another example of the NSW Government helping to increase supply as the housing crisis continues to be the biggest issue facing the state.
The rezoning will add a minimum of 6,500 square metres of publicly accessible open space, along with pedestrian links to Cowper Street and Northcliffe Drive, and Warrawong Plaza will continue to operate on the site.
A new bus interchange has been added to the proposal following community feedback during the project's public exhibition in June and July 2024.
The proposal's first homes could be built by 2028, which will help meet the Illawarra's growing housing needs. Trading will continue at Warrawong Plaza during construction.
The proposal comes as Illawarra residents' ideas help shape the Master Plan for the future of the 32-hectare Warrawong Parklands and around 100 construction jobs that will flow from the NSW Government's approval of BlueScope's $200 million Plate Mill refurbishment at nearby Port Kembla.
Future development applications that are more than $60 million will be assessed by the Department and will be subject to design excellence requirements.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's plan to build a better NSW with a greater choice of homes, so young people, families and workers have somewhere to live in the communities they choose.
For more information, visit the planning proposal webpage.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"The Warrawong Plaza and transport hub offers an ideal infill development opportunity to deliver more well-located homes and affordable housing in this changing suburb.
"This is an ideal location close to Kully Bay Park, Lake Illawarra and a short drive from Port Kembla's Beach Pavilion.
"Adding new homes will benefit young people, families and key local workers while also offering existing shops with increased customers and the potential for new businesses in the Warrawong CBD."
