We want to make sure that the growing community of West Dapto has the right places and spaces for people to meet, be active, connect, create, and learn.
As part of our regular review of the West Dapto Contributions Plan, we're also reviewing the long-term social infrastructure needs of West Dapto. By looking at this now, we're able to put in place plans as more people move into this growing area.
Social infrastructure is a planning term that refers to facilities and spaces which support our community's quality of life and wellbeing. There are lots of different types of social infrastructure, but we're looking at two categories as part of our review. These include:
Community and cultural facilities
- multipurpose community centres and library spaces
- youth spaces and senior spaces
- creative practice studios, workshops, childcare places, and government primary and high schools
- medical centres, GPs and health hubs.
Open space and recreation
- local parks, open space corridors and linear parks
- recreation and sport facilities
- destination parks (e.g., the Wollongong Botanic Garden).
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that Council would need to work with a variety of stakeholders to achieve the recommendations of the review. And a key stakeholder in this process are the community who call this suburb home, or who plan to move into the area in the future.
"Not all of these facilities will fall under the scope of Council responsibility. To achieve and deliver on any of these items, we will require the co-ordinated efforts of the NSW Government and the private sector," Cr Bradbery said.
"Right now, we're very much in the planning stage and we'll soon be calling for community feedback on the draft West Dapto Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment report.
''I encourage West Dapto residents to get involved next year and share your feedback on this important project. That way, you can help influence the possible community and outdoor spaces that you'll use and enjoy.''
The draft West Dapto Social Infrastructure Needs Assessment will go on public exhibition on the Our Wollongong website next year.
Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said that the review was an important step towards achieving Council's long-term vision for West Dapto.
"West Dapto is our fastest-growing residential area and over the next few years it will become home to many more thousands of residents. Overseeing this project is one of the biggest, and longest-running endeavours Council has ever undertaken," Mr Doyle said.
"Our vision for West Dapto is to grow and develop a series of integrated and connected communities. We want these communities to be healthy, sustainable and resilient and that means investing in social infrastructure such as parks, sporting fields, community centres and library spaces."
Once we've had the chance to ask for feedback and review the submissions, Council will move towards finalising the Assessment report and planning for it's roll-out. This will require further analysis, master planning, detailed designs and neighbourhood plants to confirm where infrastructure will go.
