A significant Wollongong city centre development has received approval to grow even taller, adding three new storeys to its planned structure. The Level 33 project at 35-43 Flinders Street has been given the green light to expand upwards after a previous rejection was successfully overturned.
From Rejection to Approval: The Panel's Change of Heart
The developer's initial request in May to add another two to three storeys and 33 apartments to the project was knocked back by the Wollongong Local Planning Panel. At the time, the panel cited a lack of certainty in the design elements as a key reason for the refusal. The original proposal was for a total of 213 apartments.
However, the developer sought a review of this decision, presenting the proposal to a newly convened local planning panel. This time, the outcome was different. The panel concluded that the proposed additions were appropriately designed for the site and were unlikely to cause additional negative impacts on the area's character or amenity.
How Affordable Housing Bonuses Made it Possible
The approval was made possible through bonus height and floor space ratio provisions introduced by NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully. These planning incentives allow buildings that provide affordable housing to exceed standard height limits, encouraging developers to include affordable units in their projects.
A staff report from Wollongong City Council recommended approving the changes, noting that several improvements had been made since the initial development application was lodged. These enhancements included additional visitor car parking for the new units, better building separation, and the removal of awkward corridor kinks and building alcoves.
A Long Development History
This is not the first time this prominent Flinders Street site, previously known as the Villa D'oro site, has faced planning hurdles. The original plans were initially rejected by Wollongong City Council due to concerns about size, bulk, and other issues.
The development eventually gained approval after developer Eddy Haddad took the matter to the Land and Environment Court, demonstrating the complex and often lengthy process of major urban development in the Illawarra region. The latest approval for additional height marks another chapter in the ongoing evolution of Wollongong's city skyline.
