Wollongong City Council has welcomed the Land and Environment judgement on Development Application DA 2024/357 for the Illawarra Hotel.
Our intention throughout this Application process has been to work towards an outcome that supports the business to grow and thrive, while ensuring there was appropriate conservation of the building's heritage form and character.
From the outset we have recognised the need to renovate the building, which opened in 1938, to ensure it meets contemporary needs, community expectations and to ensure it supports provides viable business opportunities.
The Development Application process was about ensuring these needs can be met in a way that ensures any renovations are done in line with industry standards and in a way that conserves the heritage value of this much-loved building.
The amended Development Application provided certainty around the steps that will be taken to ensure the structural integrity of the building during and after construction and has resolved the Council's single heritage contention.
We believe the summary of changes secured through the Court process will enable the team from the Illawarra Hotel to move forward on the next phase in the building's 88-year history.
These changes included:
- Amended architectural plans that changed the configuration of Levels 1 and 2 of the Hotel to reduce the extent of demolition proposed, which allowed for the retention of key original fabric, additional spaces and finishes. The changes provide a stronger interpretation of the original layout of the Hotel while also facilitating the proposed adaptive reuse of Levels 1 and 2.
- Submission of a Revised Heritage Interpretation Strategy, which provides for interpretation of the Hotel's history, layout and evolution
- Development of a detailed Schedule of Conservation Works that identifies and secures the retention, restoration and management of significant heritage fabric and ties the development to key conservation commitments under the Development Consent.
We look forward to seeing the next evolution of this building unfold.
