Developer Legacy Property has revised plans for The Works development in Corrimal, opting to remove half of the historic coke ovens due to structural issues. Originally intended to be retained as heritage items, only five of the ten ovens will now be preserved, with the rest cut away.
According to a development application submitted to Wollongong City Council, investigations revealed that the majority of the masonry in the ovens is beyond repair. The statement of environmental effects noted that any attempt to stabilise the existing structure would require encasing the ovens in shotcrete and structural steel, which would compromise their interpretive value.
The revised approach involves reconstructing five ovens to accurately represent their original form, using existing bricks and original steel elements wherever possible. This ensures the continued legibility and interpretation of the ovens while retaining meaningful original material.
The Heritage Plaza, a central area open to residents and the public, will feature a restaurant or brewery. Other retained structures include a 1912 brick chimney and a powerhouse. The plaza design has also been altered to relocate a loop road that originally passed through the area.
Legacy Property development director Steve Ball stated that the company remains committed to incorporating the site's heritage into the community. Construction of the plaza is expected to begin next year, pending council approval. The development application is on public exhibition until March 18.
