The NSW Government worked closely with Wollongong City Council to create a tailored approach that will deliver more homes within walking distance of the train station, and close to shops and jobs in the Wollongong CBD.
The new planning controls have carefully considered flood risks in parts of the precinct and the boundary now excludes the most flood-constrained land while capturing land within 900 metres south-east of the train station.
The North Wollongong TOD is bounded by the Princes Highway/Flinders Street in the west, Gipps Road in the south, Kembla Street in the east and Blackett Street and Pleasant Avenue in the north.
Amendments have been made to the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 to implement planning controls that are similar to TOD controls, to boost housing supply, choice and affordability.
This includes:
- An increase in maximum building heights of between 22 metres and 32 metres, depending on development design
- An increase in the maximum floor space ratio from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1
- Mandated affordable housing contributions, equivalent to 2 per cent of total gross floor area, for developments of 2000 square metres or more.
The TOD program was designed to deliver well-located homes, within walking distance of transport hubs and is expected to deliver 170,000 homes across 37 stations over the next fifteen years.
To date, more than 7,100 homes are under assessment or have been approved in TOD areas from the Hunter to the Illawarra.
During the period of the Housing Accord, Wollongong local government area ranks the highest for housing approvals of the local government areas outside of Sydney.
The Minns Labor Government has been working closely with a number of councils to tailor these planning reforms to their needs.
