On Monday 6 June, Wollongong City Council adopted a site-specific Development Control Plan chapter for the former Corrimal Coke Works site. But what does that mean for our residents?
The Wollongong Development Control Plan (DCP) is a set of Council policies that explain how developments need to be designed to meet the requirements of the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and State-wide rules.
There are many chapters in the DCP, each covering a different type of development. We've now endorsed a site-specific DCP chapter for the former Corrimal Coke Works to serve as a tool to help guide the Master Plan for the site, identify opportunities and constraints, and to provide guidance in the assessment of future Development Applications.
It's an important document as it incorporates the feedback key stakeholders and from our broader community, along with the findings of a range of technical studies that should be considered when assessing a Development Application for the site.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that the new chapter had gone through a series of revisions in response to community feedback.
"Council's priority has always been on getting this process right from the get-go. Like the former Coke Works themselves, this redevelopment process has a long history to it, and we've worked hard to keep our community involved from start to finish," Cr Bradbery said.
"This has included consultation with local Aboriginal community members to acknowledge and understand the cultural significance of the site and broader area. We've taken their feedback onboard and now updated the DCP Chapter to include a number of specific objectives and controls that consider the cultural significance of the land.''
The draft site specific DCP Chapter was exhibited in 2021 as part of a suite of documents prepared in support of the draft Planning Proposal to rezone the site for residential use.
What's different about the adopted Wollongong DCP 2009 Chapter D19?
Parking and active transport
A key recommended change to the DCP is a reduction in parking rates on site. This change reflects the Transport for NSW submission encouraging Council to achieve a more sustainable outcome by promoting active transport options given the proximity to the railway station.
As part of an integrated transport precinct masterplan, a key vision for the site is the inclusion of shared paths and bicycle paths. This aims to make it attractive and accessible for people to walk and cycle to key locations including the railway station, bus stops and the Corrimal Town Centre, schools and recreation area.
Aboriginal cultural significance and local heritage
We've strengthened a number of objectives and controls to include acknowledgement of Aboriginal culture and the cultural significance of the location and surrounding areas. These controls will help encourage conservation of heritage.
Sustainability and climate-friendly design
One of the proposals from Sydney Water was the consideration of on-site recycling and reuse of water as part of water cycle management and wastewater services. The DCP now requires the development to reach a satisfactory arrangement with Sydney Water.
The DCP also encourages a number of different sustainability measures such as:
- Water Sensitive Urban Design – an approach that uses better urban planning and design to reuse stormwater, stopping it from reaching our waterways by mimicking the natural water cycle as closely as possible.
- a voluntary commitment to achieving a 5-star Green Star through the Green Building Council Australia.
- requirements for electric vehicle charging facilities in new developments
- controls added to retain trees along Railway Street.
Community and business
Offering places for community members to meet and come together is important and the plaza precinct is proposed to act as a community meeting place. The DCP and Master Plan will guide the built form and design.
We've also expanded the aims and objectives to include opportunities for small business operations. At the same time, we've clarified that the provision of neighbourhood scale retail precinct will be at a scale that recognises "Retail Hierarchy". This means that we're recognising the importance of the existing Corrimal Town Centre and centres in East Corrimal and Bellambi and as a result we're limiting the size of shops in this new development.
