The New South Wales government has fast-tracked plans for a 54-unit public housing development in Warrawong, located on Northcliff Drive opposite the Kully Bay sports ground and the newly announced Warrawong Parklands.
The development, proposed by Homes NSW, would replace six standalone houses with two buildings containing a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. At 13.3 metres high, the buildings would exceed the area's height limit of 12.35 metres, even with a bonus for social housing under the Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).
A variation to the height limit is being sought, and the project has been granted State Significant Development status, making the Planning Minister the consent authority instead of Wollongong City Council. The scoping report notes that the site is well located near shops, transport, and Port Kembla hospital.
Concerns about the design were raised during meetings with Wollongong City Council in December and the State Design Review Panel in February. Issues included the appearance at ground level, car parking configuration, communal open space design, and apartment layouts. The scoping report states these matters will be considered when finalising designs.
The development includes only 23 parking spaces for the 54 units, with parking located at ground level. The Housing SEPP bonus has allowed an additional 19 units, contingent on approval of the height exceedance.
The site is adjacent to Kully Bay sports ground and the future Warrawong Parklands, which Planning Minister Paul Scully described as set to become one of the state's great public spaces, featuring an Olympic-standard skatepark, over 10 kilometres of pathways, and improved lake access.
