Wollongong City Council's Delivery Program outlining unprecedented investment in works, services and project delivery over the next four years is now on public exhibition following Council endorsement on Monday night.
The Delivery Program 2025-2029 sets out Council's four-year program of work to deliver the community's long-term vision and goals identified in the Our Wollongong Our Future 2035 Community Strategic Plan (CSP), adopted in June last year
While the Delivery Program sets out Council's four-year program to deliver the community's long-term vision and goals, the Operational Plan outlines the specific actions, priorities, and allocation of resources for the coming financial year.
The draft Operational Plan for 2026-2027 presented at Monday's meeting, includes a $157 million Infrastructure Delivery Program, with almost 250 projects planned or underway across the Local Government Area.
Around 60 per cent of this investment targets the renewal of existing infrastructure to support the continued delivery of community services. This includes the renewal of community facilities (like Corrimal Community Centre and Library), sporting amenities (like Figtree Oval), playgrounds, stormwater pipes and pits, and transport-related assets (footpaths, shared paths, cycleways and roads).
The Plan also includes new community centres and libraries at Warrawong and Helensburgh, construction of the Darkes Town Centre Sporting and Community Hub, major upgrades to Cleveland Road and West Dapto Road, and new skateparks in the Northern Suburbs and Wollongong City Centre.
These projects form part of a broader $850 million Infrastructure Delivery Program over the next four years (2026-2027 to 2029-2030).
It's a lengthy to-do list, but Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said it's something Council is meeting head-on.
"We have a growing community with big aspirations and it's important that these essential plans reflect our shared ambitions for the Wollongong we build together," Cr Brown said.
"With demand increasing across all service areas, we need to make sure funding and resources are carefully planned and considered to meet the diverse needs of our community, be it important connection hubs like our libraries and community centres, our sporting fields and amenities, or investment in our future flood and climate resilience.
"This Operational Plan allocates resources across these priorities. I'm very excited to see Community Centres and Libraries at Warrawong and Helensburgh included in this plan, and commencing construction of the Darkes Sporting and Community Hub at West Dapto is a major milestone for the coming year.
"Alongside construction of these new facilities, the plan also provides essential investment in road and pedestrian infrastructure, playgrounds and open spaces to shape connected communities in our suburbs.
"Big plans require big investment, and we have been successful in securing significant grant funding from the State and Federal Governments. We'll continue pursuing these opportunities to support service delivery in our city and working with our neighbouring councils to secure strategic investment in our broader region."
Council reviews its Delivery Program each year, informed by community feedback, input from Councillors, Council staff and executive, alignment with relevant state and regional strategies, and analysis of economic conditions.
General Manager of Wollongong City Council Greg Doyle said the annual review is essential to ensuring these key guiding documents continue to meet community needs and expectations.
"This significant program of works over the next four years amounts to a record investment in infrastructure and community projects to support our growing community, Mr Doyle said.
"Local government is not immune to challenging economic conditions and it's vitally important that we address immediate priorities while embracing our position as a regional leader for the benefit of everyone in our community well into the future.
"Reviewing our progress annually provides a clear, transparent roadmap to meeting these objectives in a responsible and sustainable way so we can continue delivering on our long-term commitments to our residents.
"It is an ambitious vision, but our community deserves and expects nothing less. We look forward to getting to work and continuing to make Wollongong the best it can be for everyone who calls it home."
Following Council endorsement, the Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and Operational Plan 2026-2027 will be on public exhibition from 22 April to 19 May 2026.
The exhibition provides the community with an opportunity to review the proposed plan and provide feedback before Council considers the final plans, including any recommended amendments, for adoption. It's currently anticipated that this report will be tabled at the June 29 meeting of Council.
You can view the documents and provide feedback via Council's website
