Frequently Asked Questions

The Urban Design Framework presents Recommendations which form the basis on which to changes to the existing Wollongong City Centre Planning Controls will be made (including Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009 and Wollongong Development Control Plan 2009 (Chapter D13)).

The Urban Design Framework undertakes detailed testing of existing planning policy and urban design analysis of the City to precinct scale. This work is supported by economic analysis and forecasting prepared by SGS Economics and Planning.

In 2018, Architectus and Andrew Burns Architecture were commissioned to prepare an Urban Design Framework, as the next step in implementing A City for People.  The objectives of the urban design framework are to -

• Provide Council with strong recommendations in order to develop a suite of clear and consistent planning controls and guidelines that facilitate better design outcomes as well as economically feasible development in the City Centre
• Strengthen the way that design excellence is taken into account when Council examines places and reviews proposals
• Set the foundations that enable council to develop a stronger design culture within Council and the community.

SGS Economics and Planning were engaged by Wollongong City Council to undertake economic analysis to inform the Urban Design Framework. 

This Study provides:

▪ a review of development capacity under the existing controls,

▪ feasibility analysis to better understand the commercial and non-commercial development feasibility within the City Centre,

▪ identification of growth forecasts for both commercial and non-commercial development, and

▪ identification of levers that could potentially be used to incentivise the delivery of the right development growth in the City Centre.

The Study presents a series of recommendations which have been integrated into the Urban Design Framework. 

What is Access and Movement for People?

Access and Movement for People will be a strategy to help achieve the vision set out in A City for People. It will be an integrated transport plan that looks at pedestrians, cycling, public transport, general traffic, and car parking in Wollongong City Centre. 

Access and Movement for People will replace Wollongong City Council’s existing Access and Movement Strategy 2013 and emphasise the value of city streets as places to experience and linger in rather than just travel through them.

Floor Space Ratio is used to calculate the maximum developable floor area relative to the total size of a site. Its purpose is to provide an appropriate relationship between size of a site and the amount of development on that site. It sets a maximum development density and intensity of land use, and seeks to encourage a consistent building scale within an area.

Land Use Zones define the legally permitted and prohibited uses of a piece of land, determining if a Lot can be used for commercial, industrial, residential or other purposes. In other words, it defines what land can and can’t be used for.

Height limits are one of the controls used to define the maximum size of a building. Heights limits are given in meters and determine how tall a building can be. Height limits are important because they help shape the character of an area and define the city skyline, with tallest buildings normally denoting the centre of the city.

The Wollongong Development Control Plan (Chapter D13 City Centre) is not changing yet.

After Council has received comments from the community on the Urban Design Framework, Council will refine a draft DCP Chapter for the City Centre.

This draft will be reported to Council, and be exhibited for community comment.

The Wollongong Local Environmental Plan is not proposed to change yet.  

The Urban Design Framework sets out recommendations to change the LEP.  After Council has received comments from the community on the Urban Design Framework Recommendations, Council will prepare a draft Wollongong LEP 2009 as it relates to the City Centre. This will be called a Planning Proposal.

The draft Planning Proposal will be reported to Council to request 'Gateway' from State Government.  This is an important step in the process of plan making.  Once it is given Gateway, Council has permission to place the draft Planning Proposal on public exhibition.  The community will have an opportunity to make comment and inform the process.