We're aware of some community interest in the recent Notice of Determination of a Development Application for the Illawarra Hotel.
Wollongong City Council is committed to supporting existing businesses in our city to thrive, and understand growth and change is required for this to happen.
However, as a consent authority, part of our role in assessing a Development Application is to consider how proposed changes manage the future structural integrity of the building, consider community needs and expectations and, if it's a heritage building, protects it for future generations.
Since May 2024, we have been working with the proponent on their DA-2024/357 and their plans that would see alterations, additions and the extension of the Hotel's trading hours.
Under their application, they proposed a number of alterations including the removal of all first and second floor accommodation options in the building, and the addition of a void area on the eastern and western ends of the second floor.
In summary, the DA asked for Council's approval to:
- Make alterations and additions across all levels of the Hotel
- Replace of the ground flood kitchen with TAB area, replacement of part of the storage area for a life, and replacement of door panel adjacent to the sports bar
- Remove of the ground flood outdoor gaming room partition
- Remove of all first floor accommodation rooms for a bistro, bar, lounge and terrace
- Remove of all second floor accommodation rooms for a private dining room, bar, amenities, storage, staff room and office.
- Allow for a void which was proposed on the eastern and western end of the second floor
- Permit changes to trading hours to 5am-5am the following day, Monday to Sunday for the ground floor, 10am-2am the following day for Monday to Sunday for the first floor internal and external area, and 10am-2am Monday to Sunday for the second floor.
As with many complex Development Applications of this nature, Council has had numerous conversations with the proponent as we worked through our consideration of this application.
Council's focus has been on whether the proposed building changes would impact the heritage fabric of the building and its structural integrity.
As it's a heritage building, we required the works done in a way people could still interpret the building's original lay out, that didn't impact any retained heritage detailing and in a way that allowed for reversal and the reinstation of the building original structure, fabric and floor – should this be wanted – in the future.
While the availability of hotel accommodation is a widely acknowledged challenge for the city, Council's refusal of the application was not on the grounds of the removal of all hotel rooms on the building's second and third storey.
Instead, as set out in the Reasons for Refusal, Council's overriding concern is about the protection of the structural integrity of the heritage building through the creation of a void in the second and third levels of the building.
There is a pathway for the applicant to appeal Council's decision and request a review of the determination. Should they choose to go down this path, Council is open to considering alternative design approaches to the void area, which may address the potential heritage impacts. The detail within the Determination's Reasons for Refusal provide the applicant a clear guide as to the steps Council require to work towards an approval.
We are keen to continue to work proactively and openly with the proponent on the next steps and to see the next evolution of this significant heritage building in our CBD.
