FAQ
- The land use planning section relates to the current Wollongong LEP 2009;
- The boundary of the Illawarra Escarpment reflects Wollongong LEP 2009; and
- An updated Action Plan focusses on actions able to be implemented by Council in partnership with the community and other government agencies.
- Is the plan clearly presented?
- Do you have information that should be included the plan?
- What improvements would you make to the plan?
What is the draft Illawarra Escarpment Strategic Management Plan 2014 about?
The draft IESMP 2014 is a key document guiding how the Illawarra Escarpment is managed within the Wollongong Local Government Area. It identifies a range of environmental, cultural and economic values to be preserved and enhanced through management efforts and specifies criteria for the assessment of planning proposals on the escarpment.
Why does the Illawarra Escarpment require a strategic management plan?
The Illawarra Escarpment is an iconic feature of the Illawarra region. It spans across public and private tenures and has a complex history of use spanning tens of thousands of years; from Aboriginal occupation through to more recent history of agriculture, forestry, mining and residential use. Although in many areas the escarpment appears as a somewhat homogenous green backdrop to Wollongong, the escarpment is in fact a patchwork of pristine vegetation communities and more disturbed areas. The escarpment has complex and enduring Indigenous and European cultural heritage values. It is due to the importance of this icon in the hearts of so many that its management must be considered with appropriate care.
How was the draft IESMP developed?
The draft IESMP 2014 has been developed over a number of years with Council’s Escarpment Planning Reference Group comprising elected Councillors, community, Aboriginal and government representatives.
Will the new draft IESMP change my zoning?
No, the current Wollongong LEP 2009 zones are not modified by the draft IESMP 2014. The draft IESMP 2014 is intended to be a guiding document for consideration of planning proposals which may include rezoning, but these proposals are considered separately through Council’s land use planning function.
Why is Council updating the IESMP?
The IESMP 2006 was intended to be updated every 5 years. In addition, the IESMP 2006 refers to the Wollongong LEP 1990 which is no longer in effect. Many of the actions within the IESMP 2006 have been completed by Council.
Does this change what I can do with my land?
No, the draft IESMP 2014 does not introduce any new laws or regulations on what land management can legally occur on escarpment land.
What has changed from the previous Illawarra Escarpment Strategic Management Plan?
How can I contribute to the draft IESMP 2014?
Key areas for feedback include:
Who manages the Illawarra Escarpment?
What is the role of the draft IESMP 2014?
Where is the mapping that was in IESMP 2006?
The IESMP 2006 included mapping of escarpment attributes; Core, Biophysical Support for Core, Landscape Support for Core and Escarpment Interface. This mapping was based on a number of landscape attributes such as vegetation type, riparian buffers and landslip risk. The purpose of this mapping was to identify areas of high conservation value within the escarpment (requiring conservation zoning) and other areas where some level of development may drive a conservation outcome for the escarpment.
Am I within the area defined by the draft IESMP 2014?
The draft IESMP 2014 uses the Illawarra Escarpment boundary shown in Wollongong LEP 2009. To view if your property is within this area, go to Council’s planning and constraints map(External link). Navigate to your property using the search tool, then choose Planning & Constraint Information/Current LEPs/Wollongong LEP 2009/2009 Illawarra Escarpment from the legend.
How can I have my say?